Punjab health authorities have ordered an immediate recall of several medicines after drug testing officials declared them substandard. The move comes after laboratory tests raised serious concerns about the quality and safety of the affected products.
The Directorate of Drugs Control Punjab announced the recall through a public notice. Officials said the affected medicines failed quality testing conducted by the Drug Testing Laboratories Punjab.
Following the test results, the Provincial Quality Control Board directed an urgent market recall. Authorities said the action was taken to protect patients from possible health risks linked to the use of these medicines.
The recall covers four products currently circulating in provincial markets. These include injectable water solutions and infusion-based medicines manufactured by pharmaceutical companies in Islamabad, Lahore, Bannu, and Multan.
According to the official notice, the recalled products include Water for Injection 10 mL with batch number B26413, expiring in January 2030. Another affected product is Water for Injection 5 mL with batch number 20336, which expires in October 2028.
The list also includes Infusion Promass 100 mL containing Paracetamol. Its batch number is 042, with an expiry date of October 2027. Infusion Brzole 100 mL containing Metronidazole has also been recalled. Its batch number is 25081, with expiry in October 2027.
Punjab health officials said three products failed the Bacterial Endotoxins Test. One infusion product failed the Visible Particles Test.
Experts explained that such failures may pose serious health risks. This is especially important for injectable medicines used in hospitals and healthcare centers.
The authorities have instructed all manufacturers and market authorization holders to immediately remove the affected batches. These products must be withdrawn from pharmacies, hospitals, medical stores, and distribution channels.
Companies have also been ordered to submit full distribution records. They must carry out detailed investigations to identify the cause of the failures.
Officials further directed manufacturers to prepare corrective and preventive action reports. These reports must be submitted to the relevant regulators, including Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan.
In other news read more about Punjab Orders Province-Wide Recall After Substandard Medicines Found
Punjab health authorities said strict monitoring will continue to ensure only safe medicines remain available in the market. They urged healthcare providers to remain alert and report any concerns immediately.
