Vision loss cases lead to recall of injections

Lahore police register case against two suspects; inquiry committee to submit report in three days

ISLAMABAD:

The government on Sunday responded to reports of a detrimental injection, which resulted in multiple patients losing their vision. An inquiry has been ordered to identify those responsible for endangering public health, and the tainted batch of medicine has been immediately recalled.

Caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan, addressing a press conference, revealed that a locally manufactured injection, promoted for treating conjunctivitis, is allegedly responsible for causing vision loss in Punjab. He confirmed that the injection has been removed from the market, and legal action has been initiated against its suppliers.

Dr. Jan, accompanied by Punjab Health Minister Dr. Jamal Nasir, disclosed that approximately 20 individuals experienced vision loss after receiving the injection. Incidents were reported from Multan, Kasur, Lahore, and Sadiqabad.

A five-member committee, led by Dr Asad Aslam Khan from King Edward Medical University, has been tasked with assessing the situation and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents. The committee includes Director General of Drugs Control Muhammad Sohail, Dr. Muhammad Moin from the Mayo Hospital Lahore, Dr. Tayyaba from the Lahore General Hospital, and Dr. Mohsin from the Services Hospital.

Dr. Jan noted that a sample of the injection has been sent for testing, and the results will be available in two to three days. An investigation into the medicine and its supply chain is ongoing.

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Punjab Minister Dr. Jamal Nasir revealed that stocks of the problematic injection have been seized and sealed, and drug inspectors across Punjab have been mobilized to prevent its sale.

“A directive has been issued to all doctors and patients, advising them not to use that specific drug. Medical stores, wholesalers, and distributors are prohibited from selling it,” he added.

A case has been registered against the culprits at Lahore’s Faisal Town Police Station on the complaint of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

“The case specified that the conjunctivitis treatment injection was manufactured by a private hospital laboratory in Faisal Town.”

According to the provincial healthcare minister, police were currently conducting raids to apprehend the lab owner, identified as Naveed Abdullah, and an employee Bilal Rasheed. “The accused are involved in manufacturing and stockpiling unlicensed drugs and selling unregistered injections,” he added.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) of the case, suspect Bilal supplied the fake injections in Kasur, in violation of the DRAP and the Drug Act of 1976 and 2012. "They were charging Rs100,000 for each injection. Their network extended beyond Lahore and Kasur, reaching Multan and Sadiqabad.”

Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired a meeting later in the day to address the vision loss cases in the province and established a four-point plan. This plan includes strict action against drug inspectors, a two-week ban on Avastin sales and usage for ophthalmology-related treatments, free treatment for affected patients, and the formation of a high-powered inquiry team.

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These measures aim to investigate the situation thoroughly, ensure patient care, and prevent further incidents related to the injection.

The government is determined to hold those responsible accountable and safeguard public health in Punjab.

Earlier, according to a handout issued by Punjab government’s Directorate of Public Relations in Rawalpindi, Dr Nasir called on Dr Jan in Islamabad and briefed him about the action taken by the provincial caretaker set-up after the eye infection spread by Avastin injection in the province.

During the meeting, Dr Nasir said that the timely measures helped stop the use of injection, while an inquiry had been launched to examine whether the problem lay in the injection or its supply chain. The inquiry will confirm whether or not there was a lapse in the injection handling process, he said.

Dr Nasir stressed that nothing final could be stated about the incident until the facts were determined through a formal investigation. He assured that strict legal action would be taken in the light of the laboratory results and the inquiry report.
Media reports had said earlier that dozens of patients lost their eyesight due to the bad injection administered in hospitals in Kasur and Lahore.

Later, report of similar incidents emerged in Multan and Sadiqabad also.