Drug Regulatory Authority Pakistan has its official Website But while issuing an alert, it has said that ‘There are cases of vision loss or damage due to off-label use of Avastin injection.’
In recent times, there have been many cases in which patients were given Avastin injection in various cases which resulted in loss of vision.
Drap said, “This drug was not approved for use in the treatment of eyes in Pakistan and A Waston Injection was manufactured and distributed by MS Genius Advanced Pharmaceuticals Lahore in a substandard manner while the firm’s He didn’t even have a drug sale license.’
He says, ‘Avastin is a registered drug manufactured by Roche Pharma and is used for stomach and colon cancer.’
‘However, it is used off-label in cases of blood clots on the retina of diabetic patients.’
The drug has been repackaged to give it as a diluted (lower dose) and lower strength injection. The dilution and repacking process took place in hazardous conditions which affected the vision of the patients.
According to the Drip Alert, ‘Three batches of Avastin 100mg Injection imported by MS Rush Pharma Karachi have been found to be suspect, therefore the importer of this registered drug has been instructed to dispose of the suspected Avastin Injection. The batches should be immediately withdrawn from the market and its distribution should be stopped pending the results of laboratory testing.’
Screen grab of Drape’s website, where the above notification can be seen (Drap Website)
On the other hand, caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi says that ‘A Vaston injection samples have been sent for testing, their report will come in 10 to 12 days after which we can determine who is responsible. ‘
Speaking to the media after visiting Mayo Hospital Lahore on Monday, the caretaker chief minister further said that it is very sad to see people losing their sight due to injections. Our shortcoming is why our drug inspector allowed it to be sold?
He asked the health secretary and the health minister that ‘where was our health care commission when the whole process of injection was being done in private hospitals? He will also have to answer and the drug inspector will also have to answer.’
Earlier, caretaker health minister of Punjab, Dr. Jamal Nasir, said on Sunday that the government has stopped the public and doctors from using injections that allegedly affect eyesight.
During a press conference in Islamabad, the provincial health minister said that ‘medical stores, wholesalers and distributors have also been stopped from selling this injection.’
The provincial health minister has also formed a five-member investigation committee regarding this matter which will submit its report in a few days while a case has also been registered against two persons in the Faisal Town police station.
The case has been registered against two individuals, one of whom is the owner of a fake pharmaceutical company and the other is his associate, on the complaint of Deputy Drug Controller Lahore Hafiz Alam Sher.
According to the FIR, the Drug Controller of Kasur complained to the Drug Controller Office, Lahore that ‘Avastin injection, which was supplied by the main accused, caused the fatal eye disease called Endophthalmitis in several patients. happening.’
According to the FIR, ‘On this complaint, a team of drug office went to an illegal manufacturing unit located on the third floor of Saira Memorial Hospital Model Town Lahore for the purpose of inspection where the accused were not present.’
According to the police, ‘the team contacted the hospital administration whereupon the admin manager inspected the illegal unit.’
The FIR states that ‘During the inspection, the admin manager of the hospital was asked about the license for the manufacture of drugs and while investigating the incident, found violation of the Drugs Act, 1976, Drug Act 212 in front of the person present at the spot. A record was compiled and illegally manufactured unregistered drugs, including injectable A-Vastin, were seized.’
When and why is Avastin injection used?
Dr. Sadia Imtiaz, registrar of the eye department of a government hospital in Lahore, told Independent Urdu that “eye patients who are suffering from diabetes get blood particles in front of their eye membrane, due to which they Sight is affected.’
“For this, there are various formulations available in the market which are FDA approved but the problem with them is that they cost more than Rs 100,000 to give such patients at least three injections at an interval of one month. are beyond the reach of the common patient.
“In such a case, A Vaston injection is recommended, which costs Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 per injection as it is available in the amount of zero decimal five milliliters to one milliliter.”
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Dr. Sadia Imtiaz said that ‘the same injection is also used for colon cancer, but the amount of medicine in it is very high.’
He further said, ‘We advise patients to bring their own injections and many patients get these injections from places where cancer treatment drugs are available.’
Dr Sadia Imtiaz said that ‘other expensive injections are provided by registered distributors while A-Waston comes in 100ml packaging and local distributors provide the required quantity in syringes.’
Dr. Sadia also expressed the fear that the cold chain of the medicine may have been affected during this process or the sterilization process, due to which the effect of the medicine on the patients was reversed and the patients got a fatal eye disease. Be there.’
He said that ‘In this disease, the veins behind the eyes of the patients become infected, which affects or destroys their vision.’
Can vision return?
In this regard, Dr. Sadia said that ‘this situation may be different for each patient. If the infection is too much or becomes old, the vision does not return and if the infection has occurred recently and it is diagnosed. The chances of regaining sight increase.’
Rush Pharma was contacted for its stance on the news but no response has been received so far. Added publication will be made on receipt of position by Roche Pharma.
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