Recall Alert
Recall of Specified Batches of Curosurf (Poractant alfa) Intratracheal Suspension on Account of Microbial Contamination (Class II Recall)
| DRAP Alert No | No II/S/04-26-19 |
| Action Date | 14 April, 2026. |
| Target Audience | · National Regulatory Field Force of DRAP and Provincial Drug Control Departments. · Healthcare Professionals-Veterinarians · Farmers/consumers |
| Problem / Issue | The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has received a Rapid Alert notification from the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding quality defect (Class II recall) of Curosurf (Poractant alfa) Intratracheal Suspension (80 mg/ml) manufactured by M/s Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Italy. The defect has been identified by the State Institute for Drug Control (SUKL), Czech Republic, indicating a risk of microbial contamination in certain batches of the products. Review of distribution data confirms that the following batches have been supplied to Pakistan: |
Therapeutic Goods (s) Affected: –
| S# | Name of product | Batch # | Manufacturer details | Remarks |
| 1. | Curosurf 1.5ml Vial (Pulmonary surfactant of Natural origin 80mg / ml – Corresponding to approx 74.0 of total phospholipids) Each vial contains: Poractant Alfa 120mg/1.5ml | 1211476, 1224477, 1223964, 1204306, | Manufacturer Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A Via Palermo, 26/A, 43122 Parma, Italy. Importer: Chiesi Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd Office No: 4, 4th Floor, Askari Corporate Towers 75/76 D-I, Main Boulevard Gulberg III, Lahore – 54000 Pakistan | Risk of microbial contamination |
| Curosurf 3ml Vial (Pulmonary surfactant of Natural origin 80mg / ml – Corresponding to approx 74.0 of total phospholipids) Each vial contains: Poractant Alfa 240mg/3 ml | 1226985 |
| Risk Statement: | Curosurf (Poractant alfa) is indicated for the treatment of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. The identified defect relates to microbial contamination, which poses a serious sterility risk due to intratracheal administration. Use of affected batches may result in severe infections, treatment complications, and potentially life-threatening outcomes, particularly in premature neonates who are highly vulnerable. The most likely affected population includes neonates admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) requiring surfactant therapy. Healthcare professionals are advised to immediately discontinue use of affected batches and ensure availability of safe alternatives. |
| Action Initiated | – The regulatory field force of DRAP and Provincial Drug Control departments has been directed to immediately conduct market surveys for detection and removal of these products from the market. – All pharmacists and chemists working at distributors and pharmacies should immediately check their stocks and stop supplying these products. The remaining stocks should be quarantined and returned to the supplier/company. –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 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 Veterinarian | This alert applies strictly to the specific batches listed above and does not apply to other batches of the same products. Veterinarians are therefore advised not to prescribe, administer, or stock these identified batches under any circumstances. In case any of the above-mentioned batches have already been administered, treated animals should be closely monitored for possible signs of infection, treatment failure, or adverse reactions, and appropriate supportive care must be provided. Any suspected adverse events or quality-related problems linked to these batches should be reported immediately to DRAP’s Pharmacovigilance Centre and to the Provincial Livestock & Dairy Development Departments. Practitioners are further advised to ensure that only alternative registered and quality-assured batches are used in veterinary practice. |
| Advice for Farmers and Livestock Owners | Farmers and livestock owners are advised to immediately stop using the affected batch and isolate all remaining stock. Closely monitor treated animals for fever, swelling at the injection site, reduced appetite, or any sudden illness, and consult a veterinarian if such symptoms appear. Until animals are clinically stable, avoid selling or using milk or meat from visibly unwell animals. The affected product should be returned to the supplier or distributor according to recall instructions. Farmers are further advised to maintain proper records of batch numbers, treatment dates, and suppliers for traceability, and to ensure that only sterile, approved veterinary injections are used and stored under recommended conditions. |
