The Drug Regulatory Authority Pakistan (DRAP) has intensified its crackdown on unsafe and substandard medicines in Punjab, ordering the immediate recall and ban of several pharmaceutical products found to pose health risks to the public.
According to recent alerts issued by DRAP and the Punjab Directorate of Drugs Control, multiple batches of medicines failed laboratory quality tests and were declared either substandard, adulterated, counterfeit, or misbranded. Authorities have directed pharmacies, distributors, hospitals, and medical stores across Punjab to stop selling and using the affected products immediately.
Punjab Authorities Order Immediate Recall
The Punjab government issued emergency notices after Drug Testing Laboratories (DTLs) identified dangerous irregularities in several medicines during quality assessments. These issues included contamination, excessive impurities, labeling violations, and poor dissolution standards.
Officials instructed all stockists and healthcare providers to report available inventory to local drug inspectors so that the medicines could be removed from circulation without delay.
Medicines Declared Unsafe
Among the medicines recently flagged were injections, syrups, antibiotics, anti-allergy medicines, and pediatric treatments. Some products reportedly failed impurity tests, while others contained visible particles or labeling defects that could endanger patients.
In one DRAP recall alert issued in March 2026, Medizole Suspension and pediatric Montelukast sachets were declared substandard due to failed laboratory tests. Authorities warned that these medicines could reduce treatment effectiveness and trigger adverse reactions, especially in children.
Another alert identified Injection SORIDE and Injection Neudex as unsafe after inspectors found labeling violations and adulteration concerns. DRAP said the products posed serious risks to critically ill patients and ordered immediate market removal.
Crackdown Expands Across Punjab
Punjab drug inspectors have been directed to conduct province-wide market surveillance to identify and seize banned medicines from pharmacies and distributors. DRAP also ordered tighter monitoring of pharmaceutical supply chains to prevent counterfeit and substandard products from re-entering the market.
Earlier this year, Punjab authorities banned the sale of at least 10 medicines after they were found harmful to health. The banned products reportedly included allergy medicines, injections, creams, and eye drops.
Public Advised to Remain Vigilant
Health authorities have urged consumers to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and carefully check packaging, expiry dates, and batch numbers before use. Patients currently using any recalled medicines have been advised to consult healthcare professionals immediately for safer alternatives.
DRAP reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health through stricter enforcement actions and continuous quality monitoring of medicines sold in Pakistan.
