Federal Health Minister Nadeem Jan has banned the sale and usage of Avastin injection that led to severe eye infections and loss of vision.
On Sunday, Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, held a meeting with the Health department and doctors to discuss the matter.
Held a crucial meeting with Health Department and Doctors to address Avastin (Bevacizumab)-related blindness cases. Here's the action plan:
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) September 24, 2023
1. Immediate strict action against drug inspectors responsible for availability of non-sterile injections with a pending inquiry.
2. A… pic.twitter.com/MsjiOPtwlh
The number of patients affected by the injection across Punjab has increased to more than sixty, with the highest number of cases in Multan. The number of patients affected is expected to increase.
According to the health minister, diabetic patients in Lahore, Kasur and other districts were given Avastin injections to tackle retinal damage, however, it led to severe infections and loss of sight in a dozen patients.
Punjab Chief Minister has also halted sales of the injection in question and to remove stock from the market till the inquiry report is finished.
Moreover, a case has been lodged against the two absconding suppliers of locally manufactured injection Avastin, while Punjab government has formed a five-member committee of experts to look into the matter and submit a report in three days.
The Chief Minister has stated that strict action will be taken against all concerned drug inspectors for negligence and the affected persons will be treated free of cost.
The Punjab government has also decided to monitor the supply of eye medicines, forming a committee for the sale of eye medicines and injections to issue licences.
All the details of medicines and injections will be compiled in the data of the health department and there will be monitoring of surgeons’ procedures.
The issue was raised by Chaudhary Manzoor Ahmed, member of Pakistan Peoples Party, who had posted on X (formerly Twitter) that his friend got infected and eventually blinded after getting the injection.
میرے بھائی ومیرےدوست کوقصورسے آنکھوں میں یہ انجیکشن لگےجس سے انکوانفیکشن ہوکرنظربندہوگئی۔فوری طورپرلاہور رحمت ہسپتال شفٹ کیاتووہاں مزید18مریض مزیدملے۔میری وفاقی/صوبائی وزراءوسیکرٹریزصحت سے اپیل ہےکہ فوری طور پراس انجیکشن پرپابندی لگائیں۔میرے بھائی اورسب کی نظرکی بحالی کی دعا کریں pic.twitter.com/iJpZgpsFQD
— Ch. Manzoor Ahmed (@Ch_ManzoorAhmed) September 23, 2023
