A significant operation producing and distributing counterfeit medicines under international brand names has been uncovered in Pakistan. Authorities have banned two batches of these fake drugs from sale and use.
The Punjab government has intensified its crackdown on counterfeit medicine, with the Punjab Drug Control Directorate conducting raids in multiple cities. Investigations revealed that these fake drugs, falsely labeled with addresses in France and Germany, were being distributed to various locations.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) identified two counterfeit batches:
Ketamine Injection (500 mg), Batch No. 20158: An anesthetic mislabeled with the address of Pan Pharma, France.
Ocrevus Solution (300 mg), Batch No. H0041B27: Falsely linked to Roche Diagnostics, Germany. Roche Pakistan confirmed the counterfeit batch, while Roche Global reported the original batch was shipped to Turkey in 2020.
DRAP issued a recall alert for these medicines, warning that their usage could pose serious health risks due to unknown quality and efficacy. The Punjab government has been instructed to enhance surveillance, investigate the supply chain, and eliminate counterfeit drugs from the market through its regulatory field force.
