Syrups
ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) has taken decisive action, instructing pharmaceutical companies to recall nine contaminated syrups, as disclosed by Drap’s CEO, Dr. Asim Rauf. Over the past two months, Drap identified seven pharmaceutical companies responsible for producing syrups containing elevated levels of Propylene Glycol (PG), a banned substance.
The recently discovered contaminated syrups involve five additional pharmaceutical companies, including PDH Pharmaceuticals, Raazee Therapeutics, Siza International, and others. The affected syrups, such as Allerphene, Zevirol, Texcol DM, Texcol EX, Virol, Torax DM, Bronyl, and Speczine, have been flagged for potential health risks.
Drap’s investigation revealed that a batch of PG imported from a Thailand-based company contained impurities exceeding the acceptable limit. While the standard level for impurities in PG excipient, commonly used in cough syrup, is 1.1%, the seized batch from Dow Chemical in Thailand had an alarming impurity level of 25%.
PG impurities, also known as ethylene glycol (EG), metabolize into toxins upon ingestion, adversely affecting the central nervous system, heart, and kidneys, potentially leading to fatal organ failure.
This alarming discovery follows a global embarrassment for Pakistan in December 2023 when the Maldives reported contamination in medicines imported from Pakistan. The substances found in the syrups were linked to hydraulic brake fluids, stamp pad inks, paints, plastics, and cosmetics.
The World Health Organization issued an alert specifically concerning products from Lahore-based pharmaceutical company Pharmix Laboratories (Pvt) Ltd. Drap’s swift response in recalling the contaminated syrups underscores the gravity of the situation, aiming to safeguard public health and restore confidence in the pharmaceutical industry.
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