ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) has imposed a temporary ban on the use of a cancer medication distributed by Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche after 12 patients reportedly suffered blindness following the administration of the drug.
In an official statement released on Monday, DRAP announced that health authorities in Punjab, the country’s most populous province, have initiated an investigation into the cancer drug Avastin, which is licensed for use in Pakistan.
Javed Akram, Punjab’s Minister for Specialized Health, disclosed that the police are interrogating two individuals suspected to be the drug’s distributors within the province. He further stated, “A high-level committee has been established to thoroughly investigate the matter, and a case has been filed against the distributor and his associate.”
Roche Pakistan’s Spokesperson Not Available for Comments
Despite multiple attempts, Roche Pakistan’s spokesperson has not responded to queries. Roche’s official website states that Avastin is approved in over 130 countries, including the United States, for the treatment of various cancer types.
According to Alam Sher, Punjab’s Deputy Drug Controller who lodged the police complaint against the distributors, some companies acquire Avastin and repackage it in smaller doses to make it more affordable for patients.
The devaluation of Pakistan’s local currency against the US dollar has significantly increased the cost of drugs in the country, as both finished products and the components used in locally produced medicines are imported. The country is also grappling with record-high inflation, which has eroded the purchasing power of many citizens.
