Caretaker Federal Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan has announced the removal of a domestically-produced injection from the market, which resulted in vision loss among multiple patients in Punjab. Legal actions have been initiated against the suppliers and manufacturers.
Dr. Nadeem Jan made the announcement at a press conference alongside Punjab Health Minister Dr. Jamal Nasir in Islamabad. He stated that they recalled the injection stock from circulation and took stringent measures against two drug suppliers. Reports of vision impairment resulting from the injection came from various regions, including Multan, Kasur, Faisalabad, and Sadiqabad. The minister emphasized that they are conducting a comprehensive investigation and assured that the affected patients would receive the best possible healthcare.
Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare, Dr. Jamal Nasir, revealed that the injection in question is a 100mg dose, and approximately 14 to 20 patients suffered vision loss. He added that relevant authorities initiated legal action against Naveed and Bilal for producing a substandard drug with exorbitant prices. Dr. Nasir also pointed out that retailers were making significant profits from the injection. Although the injection was a 100mg dose, only a 1.2mg dose was required for ocular use. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has withdrawn the entire batch from the market, and retailers will not sell it until the investigation concludes.
The Punjab government has established a five-member committee to investigate eye injuries caused by the Avastin injection. Dr. Asad Aslam Khan from King Edward Medical University leads the committee, which will submit its findings within three days and offer recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future. Other committee members include Director General Drugs Control Muhammad Sohail, Dr. Muhammad Moin from Mayo Hospital, Dr. Tayyaba from Lahore General Hospital, and Prof. Dr. Mohsin from Services Hospital.
Laboratory tests in progress
Advisors have recommended that medical professionals and patients refrain from using the Avastin injection, and medical stores, wholesalers, and distributors have stopped selling it. The laboratory tests of the injection samples are in progress to uncover the true facts.
Dr. Jamal Nasir also reported that the dengue situation in Punjab is under control, with timely measures taken to eliminate dengue larvae and continuous monitoring of hotspots. He anticipated a reduction in the number of daily dengue patients in the coming weeks.
Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi ordered the immediate suspension of injection sales and the removal of existing stock from the market pending the inquiry report. He promised that the government of Punjab would provide free treatment to those affected. The CM instructed the Punjab Healthcare Commission to inspect clinics and hospitals for conjunctivitis treatment by trained doctors. CM Naqvi chaired a significant meeting to discuss the issue of eyesight loss due to the injection at the CM Office, where eye specialists provided insights into the injection’s usage and methods. During the meeting, they also reviewed preventive measures and strategies to combat conjunctivitis.
Furthermore, the Secretary of Health briefed the attendees about the curable nature of conjunctivitis, with most cases reported in Lahore, Multan, Rahimyar Khan, Khanewal, Kasur, and Bahawalpur. Meanwhile, the injection has affected seventeen people in different areas of Kasur district.
