Due to contamination, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) has ordered a recall of nine syrup medications. Recent investigations found seven pharmaceutical companies producing syrups with excessive Propylene Glycol (PG), a substance prohibited in high proportions in medications.
Contamination and Global Concern
Among the contaminated syrups are brands like Allerphene, Zevirol, and Speczine, produced by firms including PDH Pharmaceuticals and Siza International. Due to high impurity levels, Drap seized a PG batch from Thailand’s Dow Chemical. Acceptable impurity levels in PG are 1.1%, but this batch had 25%. High levels of PG impurities can metabolize into toxins, affecting vital organs and potentially leading to organ failure.
Read: DRAP Seizes Toxic Propylene Glycol Batch Linked to Child Fatalities
This contamination issue gained international attention in December 2023. The Maldives reported impurities in medicines from Pakistan, causing global embarrassment. These substances are typically found in industrial products like hydraulic brake fluids and cosmetics. The World Health Organization issued an alert about Lahore’s Pharmix Laboratories, highlighting the severity of this issue.
