ISLAMABAD-UNS: Caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan said on Sunday that a locally manufactured injection, allegedly responsible for causing loss of vision in several patients in Punjab, had been recalled from the market while a case been registered against the suppliers.
On Saturday, the Punjab government formed a five-member committee to probe the loss of eyesight among patients after allegedly being administered locally manufactured injection “Avastin” at different hospitals in the province.
The committee will be led by King Edward Medical University Dr Asad Aslam Khan as convener. Other members include Director General Drugs Control Muhammad Sohail, Mayo Hospital’s Dr Muhammad Moin, Lahore General Hospital’s Dr Tayyaba and Services Hospital’s Prof Dr Mohsin.
According to reports, diabetic patients in Lahore, Kasur, and Jhang districts were administered Avastin injections to address retinal damage. However, these injections led to severe infections, ultimately resulting in the loss of eyesight of approximately 12 patients, including the brother of senior PPP leader Chaudhry Manzoor and his friend.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad alongside Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Dr Jamal Nasir, the minister said that reports regarding the injections had been received from Multan, Kasur, Lahore and Sadiqabad.
“Dr sahib informed us that the investigation is ongoing,” he said, adding that a five-member committee had also been formed which would submit a report in three days.
Jan said that the injection in question had been recalled from the market, and selling it was no longer permitted. “The supplier [of the injections], two men, a first information report (FIR) has been registered against them and a legal inquiry has been initiated.”
He reiterated that the injection had been recalled from the market, assuring the nation that the matter would be investigated in a transparent manner and the findings would be placed before the people.
He further said that the government would also go after those responsible while also cooperating with those that had been affected and providing them with the necessary medical attention.
