Recall Alert
DRUG PRODUCT DECLARED SUBSTANDARD & ADULTERATED BY DRUG TESTING LABORATORIES, PUNJAB.
| DRAP Alert No | No I/S/01-26-133 |
| Action Date | 21 January, 2025. |
| Target Audience | – National Regulatory Field Force. – Healthcare Professionals – Physicians, Pharmacists, and Nurses at hospitals and clinics – General Public |
| Problem / Issue | Drug Testing Laboratories of Punjab Province informed that the samples of below mentioned drug products have been declared as ‘Substandard & Adulterated’. |
Therapeutic Goods (s) Affected: –
| S# | Product Name | Batch No. | Manufacturers | Remarks |
| 1. | Tablet. BP-NORM Atenolol … 50mg (Reg. # 071447) | 5968P485 | M/s Neutro Pharma (Pvt) Ltd. 9.5-Km Sheikhupura Road Lahore. (DML # 000576) | The sample has been declared Substandard on the basis of failed assay of Atenolol, &Adulterated as per Section 3 (a) (v) of The Drugs Act 1976 (confirmed presence of an undeclared active ingredient i.e. Ciprofloxacin HCl) |
| Risk Statement: | The use of BP-NORM (Atenolol 50 mg), Batch No. 5968P485, presents a serious risk to public health, particularly for patients with cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, and the elderly who depend on consistent atenolol therapy. The product is substandard due to failed assay of atenolol, which may result in loss of therapeutic control, and is adulterated by the confirmed presence of an undeclared active ingredient, Ciprofloxacin HCl. This may expose patients to unintended antibiotic intake, leading to adverse reactions, drug interactions, and development of antimicrobial resistance, especially in vulnerable patients. Continued use of this batch may therefore cause significant harm, warranting immediate risk mitigation. |
| 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 Healthcare Professionals | DRAP 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. |