LAHORE-UNS: The Punjab government on Sunday banned for two weeks the sale and usage of a locally manufactured injection, allegedly responsible for causing loss of vision in several patients in the province, until quality check results were obtained.
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.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) today, Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said a crucial meeting was held with the health department and doctors to address the Avastin-related blindness cases and an action plan for devised.
As per the plan, “immediate strict action” would be taken against drug inspectors responsible for the availability of non-sterile injections with a pending inquiry.
Naqvi said the government of Punjab would provide free treatment to all the patients and a high-powered inquiry team had been formed for swift investigation.
“The police have been instructed to ensure the arrests of those responsible,” the CM added.
Injection recalled from market
Earlier in the day, caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan said the injection had been recalled from the market while a case been registered against the suppliers.
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.
