Drug Regulatory Authority (Drap) has ordered the withdrawal of a contaminated batch of Anarob antibiotic drip after harmful levels of bacterial toxins were detected.
Anarob Infusion, containing metronidazole, is commonly used in hospitals to treat serious bacterial infections of the stomach, lungs, skin, joints, and other areas when oral medicines are not effective.
A medical product alert issued on Tuesday said Drap’s Central Drugs Laboratory declared the drug “substandard” after tests showed it was out of specification for bacterial endotoxins. The authority warned that use of the affected infusion could cause fever, chills, septic shock, and potentially fatal complications. Hospitalised and immunocompromised patients are most at risk.
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The defective batch, identified as H24219, has been ordered off the market. Drap instructed its field teams and provincial drug control departments to conduct immediate surveys and remove the product from circulation. Pharmacists and chemists have been directed to check their stocks, stop supplying the drug, and return it to suppliers.
Healthcare professionals were urged to report adverse reactions or product-related issues to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC). Consumers were advised to stop using the batch and consult doctors if they experienced symptoms linked to the infusion.
This is the latest in a series of recalls. In March 2024, Drap pulled a children’s fever syrup, while in January it withdrew nine contaminated syrups. Experts say repeated lapses highlight the need for stronger oversight of pharmaceutical quality standards in Pakistan.