DRAP flags 11 batches of suspected fake and substandard medicines in Karachi

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued a public health warning after several medicine batches manufactured by City Pharma Laboratories in Karachi reportedly failed quality testing.

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued a public health warning after several medicine batches manufactured by City Pharma Laboratories in Karachi reportedly failed quality testing. The alert identifies six medicines and a total of 11 batches as fake or substandard raising concerns about the quality of pharmaceutical products available in the local market.

According to the information provided in the alert the Central Drug Testing Laboratory (CDTL) in Karachi tested samples of the affected products and found that they did not meet the required quality standards. DRAP has warned that using medicines with uncertain quality and effectiveness may pose health risks.

The alert lists Exoran injections in 500mg and 1g strengths along with Exit injections in the same strengths. The supplied report states that two batches of Exoran and six batches of Exit were declared fake or substandard.

These products are used in the treatment of bacterial infections, making the reported quality concerns particularly important for patients receiving treatment.

The warning also identifies Brexin tablets specifically batch number W 68 C as fake. The report alleges that the product was manufactured by City Pharma Laboratories under the name of multinational pharmaceutical company GSK (GlaxoSmithKline).

The alert also refers to sterile water for injection and other sterile products that reportedly failed to meet quality requirements. Such products must comply with strict manufacturing and sterility standards because contamination can cause serious complications.

DRAP has instructed pharmacies and medical stores to stop selling the affected batches. The relevant provincial and district health authorities in Sindh have also been directed to take action to remove the identified products from the market.

Consumers are advised to check the batch numbers printed on medicine packaging and consult a pharmacist or healthcare professional if they suspect they possess an affected product. Anyone who has already used a potentially affected medicine should seek professional medical advice particularly if they experience unusual symptoms.

The report further refers to other recent medicine-quality alerts issued by authorities in Pakistan highlighting continuing concerns about the availability of counterfeit and substandard pharmaceutical products.

Consumers and healthcare providers should rely on official DRAP notifications to confirm the exact product names batch numbers and recommended actions before making decisions about specific medicines.