URGENT: DRAP Issues Fake Medicine Alert – Avoid These Dangerous Drugs in Pakistan
Drug Regulatory Authority Pakistan conducted nationwide crackdown against counterfeit medicines found in various markets. Provincial Drug Control Directorate seized multiple fake medicine batches targeting fever, body pain, women’s health, and anxiety treatments. Citizens must avoid these dangerous products immediately.
Specific Fake Medicines Identified
Authorities identified three major counterfeit drug batches posing serious health risks:
- Anxiety Treatment: Dezilievu 2ml injection batch DZ44 found fake
- Women’s Health: Efastone tablet batch 41160 confirmed counterfeit
- Fever and Body Pain: Paracare syrup batch PE 042 declared fake
- Laboratory testing confirmed these medicines lack required active ingredients
How Fake Medicines Were Detected
Provincial drug testing facilities conducted thorough investigations:
- Labels falsely displayed company addresses from Karachi and Kasur
- Lab samples showed no confirmation of required salt content
- Medicines failed Drug Act 1976 Section 3 standards completely
- Counterfeit products illegally manufactured and distributed to markets
Serious Health Risks Warning
Authorities warn that consuming these fake drugs could seriously harm health or even be fatal. DRAP emphasizes the life-threatening nature of counterfeit medications:
- Unknown effectiveness creates unpredictable health outcomes
- Missing active ingredients provide no therapeutic benefit
- Harmful substances may cause adverse reactions or poisoning
- Patients with serious conditions risk worsening without proper treatment
Locations Where Fake Medicines Found
Counterfeit drugs discovered across multiple Pakistani regions:
- Punjab markets showing highest concentration of fake medicines
- Various medicine markets in major cities affected significantly
- Local pharmaceutical companies’ addresses misused on fake labels
- Well-known national and multinational brand names falsely used
Public Safety Instructions from DRAP
Health authorities issued specific guidelines for citizen protection:
- Immediately report suspicious medicines and avoid purchasing drugs from unauthorized sources
- Contact DRAP hotline when encountering questionable medicine batches
- Purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and medical stores
- Check medicine packaging carefully for spelling errors or poor quality
Government Response and Action Plan
Regulatory authorities implementing comprehensive safety measures:
- Intensified monitoring and enforcement to prevent circulation of dangerous products
- Increased surveillance at medicine markets and distribution points
- Distributors and medical stores ordered to report fake medicines immediately
- Provincial drug control teams conducting regular inspection raids
Broader Counterfeit Medicine Problem
Recent DRAP findings revealed over 50% of life-saving medication samples tested were fake. This crisis affects critical healthcare areas:
- Mental health medications showing high counterfeit rates
- Infection treatment drugs frequently found fake across markets
- Life-saving medicines particularly targeted by counterfeit manufacturers
- Public health emergency requiring immediate government intervention and citizen awareness
