New revelations surface in cases of vision loss from local injections

LAHORE: In response to disturbing reports of numerous patients experiencing vision loss after receiving locally manufactured “Avastin” injections at various hospitals in Punjab, the provincial government has taken immediate action.

A dedicated five-member committee has been established to probe these incidents, with a mandate to deliver its findings within three days. Furthermore, the committee will formulate recommendations aimed at preventing similar occurrences in the future.

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Punjab’s Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare, Dr. Jamal Nasir, acted swiftly upon learning of these concerning eye infections and promptly constituted the committee. Dr. Asad Aslam from King Edward Medical University heads the committee, with its members comprising Muhammad Sohail, Director General of Drugs Control; Dr. Muhammad Moin from Mayo Hospital; Dr. Tayyaba from Lahore General Hospital; and Prof. Dr. Mohsin from Services Hospital.

In a significant development, it was discovered that the company selling the injections operated illegally in Lahore, lacking the necessary licenses. The Drug Control Authority confirmed that the company based in Thokar Niaz Baig did not possess the required authorization.

To address the issue, Director General of Drugs Control Muhammad Sohail announced that no longer would separate doses of a single injection be permitted for sale in Lahore. The company was dividing a Rs 40,000 multinational injection into six portions and selling them separately for Rs 1200 each. This division has been identified as a contributing factor to the cases of vision loss. Consequently, the use of the drug has been suspended nationwide.

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Reports had surfaced indicating that diabetic patients residing in Lahore, Kasur, and Jhang districts received Avastin injections to treat retinal damage, resulting in severe infections and, regrettably, causing vision loss in numerous patients.