The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported the infiltration of counterfeit raw materials into drug manufacturing in Pakistan, specifically identifying fake propylene glycol in circulation.
In response, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) issued a comprehensive warning letter with images to highlight this significant risk.
The letter issued by DRAP warns pharmaceutical companies about the distribution of counterfeit batches of propylene glycol, a crucial raw material used extensively in the pharmaceutical industry for preparing medications, as well as in alternative medicine and solution formulations. Specifically, the warning identifies counterfeit products falsely labelled under ‘Dow Chemical and ‘Dow Europe’.
DRAP’s communication details the potential health risks associated with the use of such counterfeit propylene glycol in drug production, including serious implications for the central nervous system and cardiovascular system, which can be life-threatening. The regulatory body has urged pharmaceutical companies to refrain from using these unverified sources of propylene glycol and to recall any products that may have incorporated these counterfeit materials.
Read: DRAP Orders Recall of Cadlec 30mg/mL Injection Due to Health Risks
Furthermore, DRAP has advised pharmaceutical manufacturers to ensure their raw materials are procured only from verified and accredited sources. They have also been instructed to mobilize their field force to actively seize and remove any pharmaceutical products made from these counterfeit materials from the market.
This alert follows a recent WHO notification about substandard and counterfeit propylene glycol in the Pakistani market, underscoring the critical need for vigilance and immediate action to safeguard public health.
