Punjab orders immediate removal of two unsafe medicines

LAHORE: Health officials in Punjab have pulled two inferior drugs off the shelves after lab tests indicated they were not safe for the public to use. By the Drugs Control Directorate of Punjab, a recall was issued when the Drug Testing Laboratories in Punjab declared the products unfit after the quality check.

Subsequently, the Provincial Quality Control Board gave the order for an immediate withdrawal of the products based on the findings. Neudex Injection 1ml (Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate 4mg/mL) is one of the medicines that have been recalled.

Braun DX063 and DX079 (Oct 2027 expiry) and DX080 (Nov 2027 expiry) were pronounced to be impure. Zeesol H Infusion 1000ml (Ringer Lactate) is the second product. After failing the sterility tests, batch 2503281 (Feb 2030 expiry) was pulled by the officials.

The health department has ordered the manufacturers to withdraw the contaminated batches from the supply chain immediately. They have to provide complete distribution records, upload recall forms on the DRAP portal, and prepare root cause and corrective action plans.

The Directorate has directed pharmacies, distributors, hospitals, and medical stores to stop selling the medicines that have been recalled at once. Drug inspectors will document inventory information and supervise compliance throughout Punjab.

Officials disclosed that the measure is intended to ensure public health safety and, at the same time, to make the medical quality control more effective through the existing drug regulations.