The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has declared two medicines fake and ordered their immediate seizure.
According to a statement issued by DRAP, the medicines Efaston and Para Care (Paracetamol) were found to contain no active ingredient.
In its notification, DRAP stated that “such counterfeit medicines pose a serious threat to public health as they can lead to treatment failure, worsening of disease, and even life-threatening consequences especially for patients who rely on these medicines for critical treatments.”
The public has been strictly advised not to use these suspected counterfeit drugs.
The notification further directed consumers to immediately stop using the affected batch numbers and to consult their physician or healthcare provider if they experience any problem after using these medicines.
DRAP has urged healthcare professionals, hospitals, pharmacies, and other stakeholders to exercise extra caution in their supply chains and to promptly report any adverse effects or quality complaints related to these medicines.
It is pertinent to mention that earlier in July, DRAP had directed three pharmaceutical companies to recall substandard medical devices from the market and advised pharmacists and chemists to stop supplying those products.
