Punjab’s Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department has ordered an immediate recall of a widely used antibiotic, citing severe contamination risks. The directive, issued late Tuesday, targets specific batches of the medication that failed laboratory quality-control tests.
The recall centers on batches of a commonly prescribed syrup, which provincial health inspectors flagged during a routine sweep of regional pharmacies. Tests confirmed the presence of particulate matter that poses a significant health risk to patients, particularly children.
The health department has ordered distributors to halt sales immediately. Pharmacists across the province are now required to pull the affected inventory from shelves and return it to suppliers.
“We cannot compromise on patient safety,” a senior provincial health official told reporters during a brief press briefing. “Retailers found selling these specific batches after this notification will face immediate legal action and license suspension.”
Authorities have yet to confirm if any adverse reactions have been reported linked to these specific batches. However, the move comes as part of a broader crackdown on pharmaceutical standards following a series of complaints regarding substandard medication circulating in private markets.
Patients currently in possession of the affected syrup should stop using it immediately and consult their primary physician for an alternative. The health department has released a list of the specific batch numbers on its official portal, urging citizens to verify their medicine labels against the registry.
Health regulators are expected to release a full report on the manufacturing oversight by the end of the week. For now, the focus remains on clearing the supply chain.
