ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has ordered an immediate recall of a defective batch of Famila, a widely used birth control injection, after the Central Drug Testing Laboratory flagged it as substandard, local media reported on Monday.
The defective batch, identified as No. 83, was manufactured by a private pharmaceutical company in Karachi and was distributed primarily in Karachi, according to a local news channel report.
The DRAP’s decision came as a protective measure to prevent potential health hazards associated with the batch. Health authorities have warned that the defective product poses risks to users, potentially leading to severe blood infections or other health complications.
In a public alert, the DRAP directed the manufacturer to pull the defective batch from all points of sale. Pharmacists, distributors, and pharmacies have been advised to check their stocks immediately and halt any further supply of this specific batch.
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“Remaining stock should be quarantined and returned to the supplier or company,” local media quoted DRAP as saying. The regulatory authority has also intensified market surveillance through its teams and those of the provincial health departments to ensure the product’s swift recall.
In its advisory, DRAP requested that all distributors and pharmacists remain vigilant, urging them to report any additional suspected products in the supply chain through an online form or by email at [email protected]. Consumers who have already purchased the product are advised to stop using it and consult healthcare providers if they experience any adverse reactions.
