LAHORE / ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has established a committee to investigate the reported cases of patients losing their eyesight, allegedly due to receiving a locally manufactured injection.
Substandard injections in Lahore have affected the eyesight of up to 40 diabetes patients. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaderChaudhry Manzoor disclosed that his brother and a friend experienced a loss of eyesight after receiving the injection directly into their eyes.
Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Dr Jamal Nasir took notice of the eye infection incidents and constituted a five-member committee.
According to the notification, the committee will submit its report within three days.
The committee was led by King Edward Medical University Dr. Asad Aslam Khan as convener while other members included Director General Drugs Control Muhammad Sohail, Mayo Hospital’s Dr. Muhammad Moin, Lahore General Hospital’s Dr. Tayyaba and Services Hospital’s Prof Dr. Mohsin.
Reports indicate that healthcare providers administered Avastin injections to address retinal damage in diabetic patients residing in Lahore, Kasur, and Jhang districts.
Talking to media in Islamabad today, Caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan said that a locally manufactured injection had been recalled from the market. He added that the suppliers have had a case registered against them.
Jan further added that the five-member committee would analyse the situation from all angles and submit a report in 3 days.
