ISLAMABAD: In a startling development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has exposed the supply of counterfeit raw materials in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry.
According to DRAP, unscrupulous individuals have been supplying fake propylene glycol, a crucial ingredient for the production of many medications. Two batches of this chemical have been confirmed as counterfeit.
Propylene glycol is used in the manufacturing of various drugs, including alternative medicines and solutions. In response, DRAP has issued a warning to pharmaceutical companies, urging them to avoid using the counterfeit chemical due to its potential harm to human health.
DRAP has also directed pharmaceutical companies to recall any drugs produced with the fake raw material and emphasized the importance of sourcing raw materials from reputable suppliers.
Additionally, DRAP has instructed field forces to take strict action against those involved in supplying counterfeit raw materials and to seize any products made with such materials.
In a related event, DRAP and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) recently conducted a joint operation in Karachi, seizing unregistered and expired medicines from foreign companies. The raid in Malir led to the arrest of Anup Kumar, who was selling these unregistered and expired medicines, along with other items like shampoos and cosmetics, online.
The seized goods were valued at Rs15 million. Initial investigations revealed that Anup Kumar was working as a supervisor, while the owner of the online store, Deepak Kumar, resides in Dubai.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
