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Year: 2024

Schedule of Meetings of Clinical Studies Committee (CSC) for the Year 2024

Asad Ullah Clinical Trials

The Clinical Studies Committee (CSC) of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) is mandated under Bio Study Rules 2017 for the regulatory oversight of clinical trials and clinical studies related to therapeutic goods in the country. The CSC reviews and approves clinical study protocols, ensuring they adhere to ethical and scientific standards. It also monitors ongoing clinical trials to assess participant safety and efficacy, makes informed decisions regarding study design, and collaborates with researchers, sponsors, and other stakeholders to ensure quality clinical research and safety of the participants.

The Committee has decided that the CSC meetings will be convened after every 45 days and an annual CSC meeting schedule for 2024 (tentative) has been issued with the aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and collaboration.

S. No.CSC MeetingProposed Dates
0149th CSC Meeting2nd week of May, 2024
0250th CSC Meeting4th week of June, 2024
0351st CSC Meeting2nd week of August, 2024
0452nd CSC Meeting4th week of September, 2024
0553rd CSC Meeting2nd week of November 2024
0654th CSC Meeting4th week of December, 2024
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Change in Manufacturing Unit of M/s Sois Life Sciences to Site at G-77. S.I.T.E. Super Highway, Phase-II, Karachi.

Ijaz Mustafa Alternative Medicines, General

The Enlistment Evaluation Committee (EEC) in 120th meeting has considered the request of M/s Sois Life Sciences for change in manufacturing facility for their products from A-84, SITE, Super Highway, Phase-I, Karachi to their manufacturing site situated at G-77, S.I.T.E, Super Highway, Phase-II, Karachi. The EEC acceded the request of the firm and revoked the Enlistment Certificate No 01304.

Henceforth, all the product of M/s Sios Sois Life Sciences will be manufactured G-77, S.I.T.E, Super Highway, Phase-II, Karachi viz-a-viz Enlistment No. 0090. Therefore, manufacturing of Alternative medicines and health products by M/s Sois Life Sciences at A-84, S.I.T.E, Super Highway, Phase-I is prohibited and punishable offence under Rule 11 of the SRO 412 (I) /2014 read with Schedule II and III of the DRAP Act, 2012. Accordingly Notifications have been issued for strict compliance.

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Revocation-of-Form-6-01304-of-Ms-Sois-KarachiDownload

Recall Alert; Drug Products: Mebzole 100mg/5mL Suspension and Bioris 1mg/ml Oral Solution by M/s Biolabs Pvt., Ltd., Islamabad

Asad Ullah Recall Alerts

Recall Alert

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DRAP Alert NoNo I/S/04-24-18
Action Date29th April 2024
Target Audience– National Regulatory Field Force.
– Pharmacists and Chemists at Distribution, Pharmacies and Medical Stores
– Healthcare Professionals- Physicians, Pharmacists, and Nurses at hospital and clinics
– General Public
Problem / Issue The Federal Government Analyst, CDL Karachi has declared the following batches of oral liquid preparations manufactured by M/s Biolab Pvt Ltd, Islamabad as of “Sub-standard” quality based on the presence of Ethylene Glycol impurity at an unacceptable level.

Therapeutic Good(s) Affected: –

Product NamesCompositionBatch No Manufactured by
Mebzole 100mg/5mL Suspension
 
Reg No. 046308		MebendazoleBatch No. 22J022(F), 22J022(B)

Mfg. Date: 09-22
Exp. date: 08-24		M/s. Biolabs
(Private.) Limited.,
Islamabad.
Bioris 1mg/ml Oral Solution
 
Reg No. 069917		RisperidoneBatch No. 23B061


Mfg. Date: 02-23
Exp. date: 01-25		M/s. Biolabs
(Private.) Limited.,
Islamabad.
Risk Statement:The presence of Ethylene Glycol (EG) in oral liquid preparations poses serious health risks due to its toxicity as small amounts of EG can be fatal, especially for children. When ingested, both diethylene glycol (DEG) and EG are metabolized into toxic compounds that can adversely affect the central nervous system, heart, and kidneys.
Action Initiated–The manufacturer has been directed to immediately recall the defective batches of affected products from the market. All pharmacists and chemists working at distributions and pharmacies should immediately check their stocks and stop supplying these batches of products.

–Distributors and pharmacies are advised to be vigilant and report any suspected batch of the product(s) in the supply chain to the DRAP using the online form, or through phone at +92 51 910 73 17, or by Email at gsms∂dra.gov.pk.

–Regulatory field force of all federating units (DRAP, Provincial Health Departments, and States) has also increased the surveillance in the market to ensure the effective recall of defective product(s).
Advice for Healthcare ProfessionalsDRAP requests to enhance vigilance within the supply chains of institutions/pharmacies/healthcare facilities likely to be affected by this defective batch of the product.  

-Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with this product may be reported to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre(NPC), DRAP using the Adverse Event Reporting Form or online through this link.

-Please click here for further information on problem reporting to DRAP.
Advice for Consumers-Consumers should stop using these product bearing the affected batch number(s). They shall contact their physician or healthcare provider(s) if they have experienced any problem that may be related to using this product.

-All therapeutic products must be obtained from authorized licensed pharmacies /outlets. Their authenticity and condition should be carefully checked. If you have any doubts, please seek advice from your pharmacist.

    Recall Alert; 03 Batches of Veterinary Drug Products by M/s Biolabs Pvt., Ltd., Islamabad

    Asad Ullah Recall Alerts

    Recall Alert

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    DRAP Alert NoNo I/S/04-24-16
    Action Date28th April 2024
    Target Audience– National Regulatory Field Force. 
    – Points of sale and distributors of veterinary medicine. 
    – Veterinary Doctors and professionals. 
    – General Public 
    Problem / Issue The Federal Government Analyst, CDL Karachi has declared has declared the following 03 batches of veterinary drug products, manufactured by M/s. Biolabs (Private) Limited, Islamabad as “Adulterated” based on the presence of unaccepted level of Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol impurities.

    Therapeutic Good(s) Affected: –

    Product NamesCompositionBatch No Remarks 
    Clo-Animectin Injection 
     
    Reg No.095618    		Clorsulon 100mg/ml 
    Ivermectin 10mg/ml     		Batch No. 009A24 
     
    Mfg. Date: 01-24 
    Exp. date: 12-25     		Sample is “Adulterated” due to presence of: 
    Ethylene Glycol: 14.36% 
    Diethylene Glycol: 2.92% 
    Bio-Oxicam 0.75% Injection 

    Reg No.088836    		Meloxicam 7.5mg/ml Batch No. 083C23 
     
    Mfg. Date: 03-23 
    Exp. date: 02-25     		Sample is “Adulterated” due to presence of
    Ethylene Glycol: 24.19% 
    Bio-E-Floxacin 10% Injection 

    Reg No.088834    		Enrofloxacin 100mg/ml Batch No. 047K22 
     
    Mfg. Date: 10-22 
    Exp. date: 09-24     		Sample is “Adulterated” due to presence of 
    Ethylene Glycol: 12.08% 
    Risk Statement:EG (Ethylene Glycol) is a toxic substance that can have serious adverse effects. EG is metabolized into toxic metabolites that can affect the central nervous system, and heart, and can cause kidney damage, which can be fatal. Although, there is no available data on the systemic absorption of injected EG, and no instances of human or animal toxicity from injection of EG have been reported in the literature.
    Action Initiated–The manufacturer has been directed to immediately recall the defected batch of product from the market. All personnel working at distributions and point of sales of veterinary medicine should immediately check their stocks and stop supplying this batch of product. The remaining stock should be quarantined and returned to the supplier/ company. Regulatory field force of all federating units (DRAP and Provincial Health Departments) should also increase surveillance in the market to ensure the effective recall of defective products(s). 

    –Distributors and pharmacies are advised to be vigilant and report any suspected batch of the product(s) in the supply chain to the DRAP using the online form, or through phone at +92 51 910 73 17, or by Email at gsms∂dra.gov.pk.

    –Regulatory field force of all federating units (DRAP, Provincial Health Departments, and States) has also increased the surveillance in the market to ensure the effective recall of defective product(s).
    Advice for Veterinary ProfessionalsDRAP requests to enhance vigilance within the supply chains of institutions/pharmacies/healthcare facilities likely to be affected by this defective batch of the product.  

      Recall Alert; Drug Products: Artecid 75mg/3mL Injections by M/s Biolabs Pvt., Ltd., Islamabad

      Asad Ullah Recall Alerts

      Recall Alert

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      DRAP Alert NoNo I/S/04-24-17
      Action Date28th April 2024
      Target Audience– National Regulatory Field Force.
      – Pharmacists and Chemists at Distribution, Pharmacies and Medical Stores
      – Healthcare Professionals- Physicians, Pharmacists, and Nurses at hospital and clinics
      – General Public
      Problem / Issue The Federal Government Analyst, CDL Karachi has declared the batch number “23E018” of Artecid 75mg/3mL Injection, manufactured by M/s. Biolabs (Private) Limited, Islamabad as “Adulterated” based on the presence of unaccepted level of Ethylene Glycol impurity.

      Therapeutic Good(s) Affected: –

      Product NamesCompositionBatch No Manufactured by
      Artecid 75mg/3mL Injections
       
      Reg No.075186      		Diclofenac SodiumBatch No.  23E018
       
      Mfg Dt: 05-2023
      Exp.Dt: 04-2025      		M/s. Biolabs
      (Private.) Limited.,
      Islamabad.
      Risk Statement:EG (Ethylene Glycol) is a toxic substance that can have serious adverse effects. EG is metabolized into toxic metabolites that can affect the central nervous system, and heart, and can cause kidney damage, which can be fatal. Although, there is no available data on the systemic absorption of injected EG, and no instances of human or animal toxicity from injection of EG have been reported in the literature.
      Action Initiated–The manufacturer has been directed to immediately recall the defective batch of product from the market. All pharmacists and chemists working at distributions and pharmacies should immediately check their stocks and stop supplying this batch of product. The remaining stock should be quarantined and returned to the supplier/ company. The regulatory field force of all federating units (DRAP and Provincial Health Departments) should also increase surveillance in the market to ensure the effective recall of defective products(s). 

      –Distributors and pharmacies are advised to be vigilant and report any suspected batch of the product(s) in the supply chain to the DRAP using the online form, or through phone at +92 51 910 73 17, or by Email at gsms∂dra.gov.pk.

      –Regulatory field force of all federating units (DRAP, Provincial Health Departments, and States) has also increased the surveillance in the market to ensure the effective recall of defective product(s).
      Advice for Healthcare ProfessionalsDRAP requests to enhance vigilance within the supply chains of institutions/pharmacies/healthcare facilities likely to be affected by this defective batch of the product.  

      -Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with this product may be reported to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre(NPC), DRAP using the       Adverse Event Reporting Form or online through this link.

      -Please click here for further information on problem reporting to DRAP.
      Advice for Consumers-Consumers should stop using this product bearing the affected batch number(s). They shall contact their physician or healthcare provider(s) if they have experienced any problem that may be related to using this product.

      -All therapeutic products must be obtained from authorized licensed pharmacies /outlets. Their authenticity and condition should be carefully checked. If you have any doubts, please seek advice from your pharmacist.

        Decisions of 67th Meeting of Medical Device Board (Deficiency letter for Medical Devices Applications)

        Mughees Mudassir Medical Devices Board

        The Medical Device Board (MDB) of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan in 67th meeting has deferred the following applications of registration/enlistment of medical devices due to various deficiencies/shortcomings in the applications dossiers. These applicants are requested to furnish the requisite information/documentation as directed by the Medical Device Board. The detail is provided in the below attachment

        Deferred-letters-of-M-67Download

        Decisions of 66th Meeting of Medical Device Board (Deficiency letter for Medical Devices Applications)

        Mughees Mudassir Medical Devices Board

        The Medical Device Board (MDB) of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan in 66th meeting has deferred the following applications of registration/enlistment of medical devices due to various deficiencies/shortcomings in the applications dossiers. These applicants are requested to furnish the requisite information/documentation as directed by the Medical Device Board. The detail is provided in the below attachment

        Deferred-letters-of-M-66Download

        Drug Safety Alert: Risk of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children during Pregnancy with Topirmate

        Asad Ullah Safety Alerts

        Drug Safety Alert

        Update from Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Expert Committee (PRAEC) of Pakistan

        Date:24th April 2024
        Target Audience:·         Manufacturers and importers of Topiramate;
        ·         Healthcare professionals; and
        ·         Patients, consumers or caregivers.
        Background:The Medsafe of Newzealand in April, 2023 has announced that the product information for topiramate (Topamax®) is updated to include the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and birth defects in children whose mothers were taking topiramate during pregnancy. The risk of neurodevelopmental disorders was noted in an observational study based on data from five Nordic (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) pregnancy registries. The registries captured information from over 24,000 children exposed to at least one antiepileptic medicine before birth. Of these children, 471 were exposed to topiramate alone. The authors reported a 2.77-fold increase in the risk of autism spectrum disorder and a 3.47-fold increase in the risk of intellectual disability in children with an epileptic mother taking topiramate during pregnancy compared to those who are not taking any antiepileptic treatment during pregnancy.
        The TGA, Australia in its product information safety update of June, 2023 has also announced that the product information for topiramate (Topamax®) is updated to include the risk of foetal neurodevelopment disorder, updated warning about women of childbearing potential, and contraindications in pregnancy and women of childbearing potential for migraine prophylaxis.
        The European Medicine Agency (EMA) in July, 2023 started a review to assess new data on a potential risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children who have been exposed to topiramate during pregnancy. At that time, a study based on data from a Nordic registry that investigated the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with several anti-epileptic drugs, including topiramate was published. The study conclusions suggested a possible increase in the risk of autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability and child neurodevelopmental disorders with the exposure to topiramate during pregnancy. The PRAC decided at that time that further
         
        assessment was warranted to determine the scope and the best regulatory procedure to assess these potential risks.
        Accordingly, the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) (EMA’s safety committee) in September, 2023 introduced further restrictions i.e. pregnancy prevention programme on the use of topiramate to be put in place. At present, topiramate must not be used to prevent migraine or manage body weight during pregnancy and patients who can become pregnant must use effective birth control when using topiramate. For patients using topiramate for the treatment of epilepsy, the PRAC is now recommending that the medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless there is no other suitable treatment available. The PRAC also recommends additional measures, in the form of a pregnancy prevention programme, to avoid exposure of children to topiramate in the womb. These measures will inform any woman or girl who is able to have children about the risks of taking topiramate during pregnancy and the need to avoid becoming pregnant while taking topiramate. The product information for topiramate-containing medicines will be updated to further highlight the risks and the measures to be taken. A visible warning will also be added to the outer packaging of the medicine. Patients and healthcare professionals will be provided with educational materials regarding the risks of using topiramate during pregnancy, and a patient card will be provided to the patient with each medicine package. The PRAC recommendations were sent to the Co-ordination Group for Mutual Recognition and Decentralized Procedures for Human (CMDH), which on 11 October 2023 endorsed new measures recommended by EMA’s safety committee (PRAC). The CMDh has also agreed to additional measures, in the form of a pregnancy prevention programme, to avoid exposure of children to topiramate in the womb.
        Therapeutic Good(s) Affected:Topiramate is a medicine used to treat epilepsy in adults and children aged two years and older. It is also indicated in adults for the prevention of migraines. At present, topiramate must not be used to prevent migraine or manage body weight during pregnancy and patients who can become pregnant must use effective birth control when using topiramate.
        Action in PakistanThe case was discussed in the 4th meeting of the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Expert Committee (PRAEC) of the DRAP held on 26th of February, 2024 which decided the case as per  Rule 10 (1) (h) (iv) of Pharmacovigilance Rules, 2022, that registration holders should update the prescribing information of Topiramate to include the risk of foetal neurodevelopment disorder and warning about women of childbearing potential, and also include information about not using the Topiramate in pregnancy for the treatment of epilepsy unless there is no other suitable treatment available. Furthermore, registration holders were also directed as per Rule 10 (1) (h) (ii) of Pharmacovigilance Rules, 2022 to update contraindications in pregnancy and women of childbearing potential for migraine prophylaxis.
        Advice for healthcare professionals:Healthcare professionals are advised that topiramate should only be used to treat epilepsy in pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies/outweighs the potential risk to the mother and fetus. Pregnancy testing should be performed before starting treatment, and women of childbearing potential should use a highly effective contraceptive method during treatment. The use of topiramate for migraine prophylaxis is contraindicated in pregnancy. Inform women of childbearing potential about the risks of fetal harm if they become pregnant and refer epileptic women taking topiramate who become or plan to become pregnant for specialist advice.
        Advice for patients:Patients are advised not to stop taking topiramate without first talking to their doctor. Topiramate can harm the way an unborn baby grows and develops during pregnancy. Anyone who is able to get pregnant should use effective contraception while taking topiramate. Therefore, those patients are advised to speak with their doctor if they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant whilst taking taking topiramate.
        Guidelines for reporting Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs):Both healthcare professionals and patients are requested to report any suspected Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan through Med Vigilance E-Reporting system available on DRAP website.
        Similarly, ADRs can also be reported through MedSafety App that is available for download from App store (for iOS devices) and Google Play (for Android devices).
        References:·         Minutes of 4th meeting of Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Expert Committee, DRAP.
        ·         Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia Safety Updates June 2023.
        ·         PRAC-EMA recommendation regarding new measures to avoid topiramate exposure in pregnancy.
        ·  MedSafe Newzealand-Topiramate use in pregnancy: further restrictions for safety.
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        Implementation of Post Registration Variation Guidelines for Pharmaceutical and Biological Products (2nd Edition)

        Ijaz Mustafa Drugs, General

        The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has recently released the 2nd Edition of the Post Registration Variation Guidelines for pharmaceutical and biological drug products. These guidelines provide essential information for submitting post-registration variation applications by registration holders and marketing authorization holders of drug products. The guidelines distinguish between minor variations (MiV-N, MiV-PA) and major variations (MaV), with specific timelines for each type. Applicants are required to adhere to the prescribed “Form” and documentation requirements when submitting variation applications.

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