Punjab CM stops sale of injectable Avastin over complaints of visual impairment

Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Mohsin Naqvi Sunday ordered to stop of the sale of injectable Avastin over the complaints of visual impairment in 300 patients across the province.
According to the 24News HD TV channel, the CM ordered to stop the sale of these injections and withdraw them from the stock market until receiving the inquiry report regarding the quality of the medicine.
An outbreak of conjunctivitis in the province and the incidence of visual impairment in 300 patients due to the use of injectable Avastin have been reported in the media.
CM Naqvi announced that the Punjab government will provide free treatment to the affected people while action against the drug inspectors in the cities where the vision of the patients has been affected is also ordered.
He also ordered to Punjab Healthcare Commission to check the concerned clinics and ensure the measures at every level to tackle the epidemic of conjunctivitis.
Mohsin Naqvi also ordered to ensure the presence of trained doctors for the treatment of this disease in the hospitals.
He also chaired a special meeting and was briefed by ophthalmologists about the details of the reasons for cases of affected people.
In the meeting, preventive measures and prevention measures of conjunctivitis outbreaks were reviewed and the health secretary also gave a briefing on the incident of conjunctivitis in the province.
The CM was briefed that Conjunctivitis is treatable and best treatment facilities and medicines were available in government hospitals.
He was briefed that children suffering from conjunctivitis in schools and educational institutions should be sent back home in view of precautionary measures and Conjunctivitis patients should not be allowed to enter offices or crowded places as it is spread through close contact.
He was briefed that red eyes, watery eyes, swelling, and itching are symptoms of the disease and most cases of sight loss occurred in Lahore, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanewal, Kasur and Bahawalpur.
Provincial Ministers Dr Javed Akram, Dr Jamal Nasir, Amir Mir, Chief Secretary, Secretary of School Education, Secretary of Higher Education, Information Secretary, Ophthalmologists Dr Asad Aslam, Dr Huma, Dr Khalid Waheed, Dr Hamid Ayub and other officials attended the meeting.