Vision Loss
Caretaker Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan announced the recall of a locally manufactured injection allegedly causing vision loss in several Punjab patients. He confirmed that the injection’s suppliers were facing a registered case.
Following reports of diabetic patients losing their eyesight after receiving locally manufactured “Avastin” injections at various hospitals in Punjab, the provincial government formed a five-member committee to investigate the matter.
The affected patients included the brother of senior PPP leader Chaudhry Manzoor and his friend.
In Islamabad, alongside Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Dr. Jamal Nasir, Minister Nadeem Jan revealed that they had received reports regarding the injections from multiple districts, including Multan, Kasur, Lahore, and Sadiqabad.
He emphasized that they were actively investigating, and a five-member committee had been established to submit a report within three days.
The government pledged to pursue those responsible for the incident while providing necessary medical assistance to the affected individuals.
Dr. Nasir highlighted the profit margin associated with the injection and revealed that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) had removed the entire batch from the market. They had issued a directive to halt sales until they clarified the reports, and they had instructed inspectors to seize the product from markets.
Furthermore, they had registered an FIR against two individuals, Naveed and Hafiz Bilal, and were actively trying to apprehend them.
Dr. Nasir explained that their investigation was examining potential issues with sterilization, the entire batch, import licensing, distribution processes, and the qualifications of administering doctors.
While acknowledging that there were between 14 to 20 affected patients, Dr. Nasir refrained from providing a concrete figure, noting that individual patient interviews were necessary to determine the extent of the issue.
