On-alert DRAP recalls another eye medicine

Regulator orders withdrawal of substandard batch of Comycetin eye drops from market

ISLAMABAD:

Already on alert after vision loss cases in Punjab because of a tainted injection, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) on Wednesday issued a recall for Comycetin eye drops from the market, as it planned a nationwide crackdown on substandard medicines.

In response to a DRAP (Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan) red alert, Batch CYF 003 of Comycetin eye drops has been deemed substandard. This determination followed the testing of a sample from the drug inspector in Jamshoro, Sindh, conducted at the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) in Karachi.

The DRAP red alert strongly advises against prescribing Comycetin eye drops to patients. This medication, typically used to treat bacterial eye infections, is considered unsafe in its substandard form. The use of such a subpar medicine can pose serious risks to a patient's vision and potentially lead to complications.

DRAP has issued directives to the manufacturer of these eye drops, urging them not to supply the affected batch and to promptly withdraw it from the market. Additionally, chemists have been alerted to return any stocks of the affected Comycetin eye drops to the pharmaceutical company to ensure the safety of patients.

DRAP has remained on high alert since the past weekend following distressing incidents involving diabetic patients in Lahore, Kasur, Jhang, and Multan districts who suffered "irreversible" vision loss after receiving Avastin injections. On Monday, DRAP confirmed that authorities in Punjab had initiated an investigation into these incidents.

Read Vision loss cases lead to recall of injections

In a recent development, DRAP has taken the decisive step of launching a nationwide crackdown against illegal and substandard drugs. To execute this mission, a national task force has been entrusted with the responsibility. Sources suggest that this task force has prepared for the crackdown, collaborating closely with provincial health departments.

Before commencing the operation, surveillance efforts are underway within the pharmaceutical markets of major cities. Initial indications point towards potential raids in prominent markets across the country, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Quetta, and Peshawar.

Furthermore, the nation currently grapples with the spread of an eye infection known as conjunctivitis. Due to the rising cases of conjunctivitis, the Punjab Schools Education Department has taken the precautionary measure of temporarily closing all public and private schools in the province until Sunday.

A notification has been issued, emphasizing that this decision aims to safeguard children from the epidemic. It has been stated that schools will resume operations on Monday while adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the School Education Department to prevent the spread of the infection.