The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued an alert regarding the sale of counterfeit medicines used for cancer treatment in the country.
According to the report, two important medicines used for cancer patients, Imfinzi injection and Enhertu, were found to be fake. DRAP contacted the relevant pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca, which also confirmed that the medicines were counterfeit.
Authorities stated that the batch numbers of these medicines being sold in Pakistan were fraudulently manufactured, while their packaging, labeling, and barcodes were also found to be fake. The company said that these batches had never been produced.
DRAP warned that fake cancer medicines are extremely dangerous for patients’ lives, therefore doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies have been instructed to exercise strict caution while purchasing medicines.
Furthermore, drug inspectors have been directed to immediately stop the sale of counterfeit medicines and ensure their removal from the market, while the public has also been warned not to use suspicious medicines.
