ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will enforce a manual syringe ban from January 1, 2027, prohibiting the manufacture, import and sale of manual medical syringes below 10cc, the national drug regulator said.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) said the restriction would not apply to insulin syringes. Apart from that exemption, only approved auto-lock syringes will qualify for sale under the new regulations.
DRAP circulated the notification to the governments of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, all four provincial governments, syringe manufacturers and medical-device importers.
The regulator also withdrew an exemption that had allowed 10cc manual syringes in public and private hospitals. Pakistan had previously prohibited 2cc and 5cc manual syringes.
Read: DRAP Syringe Alert Bans 17 Substandard Batches
DRAP revoked an earlier notification issued on July 1, 2026, concerning restrictions on specific syringe sizes.
Manufacturers must convert their manual syringe production to Safety Engineered Reuse Prevention technology by December 31, 2026. Manufacturers and importers must also secure DRAP approval before producing, importing or selling auto-lock syringes.
DRAP said the transition would reduce the risk of contaminated syringes being reused. The regulator directed provincial governments to enforce the restrictions strictly.
