Recall Alert: Drug Product; Novarise 50mg/5ml Syrup by Sharooq Pharmaceuticals, Lahore

Recall Alert

DRAP Alert NoNo I/S/05-24-20
Action Date15th May 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 vide test report No. LHR-1-24-000001 dated 03-04-2024 has declared the Novarise Syrup Batch No. 113 as of substandard quality on the basis of presence of Ethylene Glycol impurity at unacceptable level.

Therapeutic Good(s) Affected: –

Product NamesCompositionBatch No Manufactured by
Novarise 50mg/5mL
Syrup
Iron (iii) Hydroxide
Polymaltose complex
Batch No. 113M/s Sharooq
Pharmaceuticals (Pvt.)
Ltd., Lahore
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 InitiatedThe 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 gsmsdra.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.

Report on Availability Status and Supply Disruption of Eye Drops

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has received information that certain brands of eye drops are short in supply in the market. The DRAP’s committee has conducted a quick survey of the market and found certain alternative brands available in the market. The main reason behind their short supply is the change of ownership globally from Allergan to AbbVie.

In this regard, Physicians are advised to consider prescribing the available alternative brands to their patients in light of the shortage. Patients should be informed about this during their consultations. Similarly, pharmacists should also communicate the availability of alternative brands to patients or caregivers.

Briefly, the availability status of eye drops reported short along with their alternative brands is presented in the table below:

Sr. No.Name of Drug ProductsManufacturer/ importerStatusReason / Stock positionAlternate brand available
 1Combigan Eye drops (Brimonidine and Timolol)  M/s Barrett HodgsonShort supplyGlobal merger/ acquisition (Change of ownership from Allergan to AbbVie)Brytim Eye Drops (Remington)
Imosol eye Drops (Schazoo)
 2Lumigan Eye drops (Bimatoprost)M/s Barrett HodgsonShort supplyGlobal merger/ acquisition (Change of ownership from Allergan to AbbVie)Allure Eye drops (Sante)
 3Alphagan Eye drops (Brimonidine tartrate)M/s Barrett HodgsonShort supplyGlobal merger/ acquisition (Change of ownership from Allergan to AbbVie)Brimodine Eye drops (Sante)
Brimod eye drops (Remington)
 4Cosopt eye drops (Dorzolamide and Timolol)M/s OBS PakistanShort SupplyStock of 30,000 packs is in transit.Co-Dorzol eye drops (Sante)
Co-Dorz eye drops (Ethical)