DRAP bans harmful batches of four medicines, including cough syrups

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has declared four medicines, including two cough syrups, as hazardous to health and has banned the sale of the affected batches, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Thursday.

This decision follows a report from the drug testing laboratory, which identified eight batches of two drugs and four batches of four additional drugs as substandard.

The problematic medicines include a range of antibiotics, anti-allergic drops, injections, and treatments for viral infections. Specifically, the substandard batches include:

Cough Syrups: Tussin DM Suspension and one batch of Arp Powder

Other Medicines: Metrovan Syrup, Ann-vil Injection, and seven batches of Torax and Zond Syrup

DRAP's analysis revealed that the ethylene glycol levels in Torax and Zond Syrup were higher than the safe prescribed limits, posing significant health risks.

The Punjab Drug Control Directorate had initially sent the samples to the testing lab, prompting DRAP to issue a product recall alert for these substandard and hazardous drugs. The authority has emphasized an immediate ban on the sale of the affected batches to prevent any health hazards to the public.

Reporter: Babar Shahzad Turk