Rapid Alert; Drug Product: Falsified Phenobar 30mg Tablets identified in the Market

Rapid Alert

Falsified Phenobarbitone 30mg Tablets

DRAP Alert NoNo I/S/06-23-24
Action Date5th June 2023
Target Audience1. Regulatory Field Force
2. Pharmacists and Chemists at Distribution, Pharmacies and, Medical Stores
3. General Public
Problem StatementDrug Inspectorate field force including various Provincial Inspector of Drugs took samples of Phenobar 30mg Tablets from the market and asked the manufacturer stated on the label for verification of authenticity. The purported manufacturer i.e. M/s Star Laboratories (Pvt) Ltd., Lahore, has informed that following batches were not manufactured by them.

The product detail as mentioned on the label is as under: –

Therapeutic Goods Affected:-

SrProduct NameComposition as per labelBatch #Manufactured by (as stated on label)
1Phenobar Tablets 30mgPhenobarbitoneQA019,
QA025,
QA016.
M/s Star Laboratories (Pvt) Ltd .Lahore
Risk Statement:Consequences of use of Spurious/ Falsified Drugs includes but not limited to followings:
-Falsified/Spurious drugs may contain toxic and narcotic/psychotropic ingredients in unacceptable doses which may be life threating.
-These are manufactured under unhygienic condition without the proper inspection and approval, which are highly injurious to human health.
-Poor-quality medicines compromise the treatment of diseases and may intensified the existing condition.
Action InitiatedThe Regulatory Field Force has been directed to increase surveillance throughout the supply chain to confiscate the product. All Pharmacists, chemists, and other healthcare professionals working at distributions, pharmacies, healthcare facilities, and other aspects of the supply chain system should immediately check the stock, and information related to the supplier of such products should be provided to the Regulatory field force (DRAP, Provincial Health Departments and States) to ensure the removal of this product.
Advice for Healthcare Professionals-DRAP requests increased vigilance within the supply chains of institutions/pharmacies/healthcare facilities likely to be affected by these batches of above-mentioned products.

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

-Please click here for further information on problem reporting to DRAP.
Advice for ConsumersConsumers should not use this product and shall contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problem related to taking or using this drug product and should report the incident to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan / National Pharmacovigilance Centre.

All therapeutic goods must be obtained from licensed pharmacies and other authorized/licensed retail outlets. The authenticity and condition of products should be carefully checked. Seek advice from your pharmacists or other healthcare professionals in case of any doubt.