Punjab: Following reports of “adverse reactions,” the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare has ordered the immediate suspension of the purchase and use of eight drugs manufactured by three companies in all government health centers across the state. These instructions were issued on Friday. Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh said the decision was taken following reports of adverse reactions to the drugs administered to patients in some government hospitals. He said, “We have sent samples for further testing, and if found to be tainted, strict action will be taken against the companies. We cannot allow anyone to play with the lives of innocent people.” The discontinued drugs include Normal Saline (Sodium Chloride Injection IP 0.9%), Dextrose Injection IP 5%, Ciprofloxacin Injection 200 mg, DNS 0.9%, Ni2 + Dextrose 5% IV Fluid, and Bupivacaine HCL with Dextrose Injection. These medicines are from three pharmaceutical companies and have a manufacturing date between 2023 and 2025, with an expiry date between September 2026 and April 2028. This action comes just days after the Punjab government banned the sale, distribution, and use of Coldrif cough syrup following the deaths of 14 children in Madhya Pradesh after consuming the allegedly contaminated medicine. A senior doctor at a government health center said, “We have recalled the entire stock available in our jurisdiction and have also issued a note to all hospitals instructing them to stop prescribing this medicine to patients.” However, even a day after the order was issued, not all doctors were aware of it. Several doctors said that despite a letter being shared on an official social media group, no information was provided.
According to standard operating procedure, department heads should have informed their subordinate doctors and ensured that the stock was not used. Another doctor posted in Patiala expressed surprise at any such order being issued. The letter, which is in possession of The Tribune and was issued to all civil surgeons and medical superintendents of government hospitals across the state, states, “It has come to the notice of the office that suspected cases of adverse drug reactions have been reported following the use of specific drugs and intravenous fluids in some health centres.” The letter, dated October 10, further states that as a precautionary measure, it has been decided to immediately stop the use of these drugs until further orders. Sanjay Kamra, medical superintendent of Mata Kaushalya Hospital, said the letter had been shared on the official WhatsApp group and he would check with the senior medical officer “whether the stock had been frozen” and that field staff had been instructed “not to use it.”
