The laboratory evaluation of a herbal medicine has raised the concern level in the Directorate of Drugs Control (DDC) Punjab and issued a public warning against its consumption as it was found to contain an undeclared pharmaceutical ingredient which can cause serious health related issues.
The Punjab Drug Testing Laboratory (PDTL) test revealed that the alternative herbal medicine, named Capsule Cheston, contained Dexamethasone, a prescription corticosteroid which was not mentioned in its label.
Prolonged use of Dexamethasone, without medical supervision, can have serious side effects such as reduced immunity, adrenal insufficiency, osteoporosis, infections and other hormonal side effects, health authorities have warned.
After the laboratory results, the Provincial Quality Control Board ordered the manufacturer and distributor to immediately remove the product from sale and provide full records of the supply chain to help trace back the product.
Pharmacies, distributors and retailers have also been advised to cease the sale and distribution of the capsules and notify the local drug inspectors of any stock and distribution information of the capsules.
FIA arrests nine involved in illegal organ trafficking
Earlier, the FIA arrested nine individuals involved in illegal kidney transplant and organ trafficking in Islamabad.
As per authorities, nine men were arrested in the operation. Among the arrested were a senior urologist and a private hospital worker.
The officials of the FIA said that these individuals were arrested from a private hospital while conducting a raid.
The arrested doctor and the hospital employee were said to be the main suspects in the whole operation.
The other individuals, including the alleged donors, receivers and the hospital staff, were also taken into custody and were sent to the office of the FIA anti organ trafficking circle in Islamabad for further questioning.
Read more: FIA books nine men including a senior doctor over organ trafficking in Islamabad
