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ARY NEWS

Jahangir Khan

  • DRAP bans sale of THIS popular blood thinner tablet

    DRAP bans sale of THIS popular blood thinner tablet

    The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has imposed a ban on the sale and use of a particular batch of Nabaxo 10 mg tablets, citing quality concerns, ARY News reported.

    According to details, DRAP issued a product recall alert for batch 263 of Nabaxo tablets, manufactured by Wenovo Pharmaceuticals, Taxila. This batch was deemed substandard after failing to meet quality control standards during testing conducted by the Drug Testing Lab, Rawalpindi.

    Nabaxo, DRAP, blood thinning, blood clots, Wenovo Pharmaceuticals, banned medicines in Pakistan

    The Nabaxo tablet, used for conditions like thrombosis and pulmonary embolism to prevent blood clots in veins and lungs, contains the active ingredient Rivaroxaban. However, the substandard batch raises concerns over treatment efficacy.

    DRAP directed the manufacturer to halt the supply of the affected batch and recall it from the market. Chemists and distributors have been instructed to stop sales of the batch immediately and return their stock. Meanwhile, doctors and patients are advised to avoid the use of the affected tablets.

    Regulatory field forces have been tasked with increasing market surveillance to ensure the removal of the defective batch and eradicate counterfeit versions of Nabaxo from circulation. DRAP urged distributors to report any identified stocks from the affected batch promptly.

    This proactive measure aims to safeguard public health by preventing the circulation of substandard medicine.

    Read More: DRAP ‘directs’ provinces to launch crack down against illegal drugs

    On 16 Nov 2024, DRAP issued directives to provincial governments to crack down on illegal drugs and medical devices.

    As per details, the development came after revelation of imported illegal medicines and surgical instruments being used in hospitals.

    Sources revealed that DRAP sent letters to all four provinces, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, instructing them to take action against those selling, using, or importing unauthorised medical products.

    The regulatory body had also ordered its field force to conduct effective surveillance of the medicine market and investigate the supply chain of illegal products.

  • MDCAT retake ‘postponed’ in Islamabad amid PTI’s Nov 24 protest

    MDCAT retake ‘postponed’ in Islamabad amid PTI’s Nov 24 protest

    The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2024 retake in Islamabad has been postponed in the wake of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned November 24 protest, ARY News reported on Friday, quoting sources.

    According to the sources, Shaheed Zulfikar Bhutto Medical University (SZAMBU) will now be conducted on December 8 (Sunday).

    Earlier, SZAMBU announced the re-conduct of admission tests on November 24 following the Islamabad High Court (IHC) directive to retake the tests in Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

    It may be noted in October, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) set aside the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2024 results and ordered to reconduct it.

    Read more: MDCAT 2024 likely to be held on THIS date in Islamabad

    In its order, the IHC maintained that the MDCAT paper was out syllabus, directing the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Medical Bhutto University to reconduct the same within a month.

    According to the IHC, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) also declared the paper out of syllabus.

    IHC’s Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued a one-page order, directing the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Medical Bhutto University to reconduct test of the Islamabad based applicants

    In which it was said that the applicants of Islamabad limits should take the MD CAT exam again, Shaheed Zulfiqar Bhutto University will conduct the MD CAT test again in a month.

  • Pakistan reports two more polio cases, tally rises to 52

    Pakistan reports two more polio cases, tally rises to 52

    ISLAMABAD: The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has reported two additional poliovirus cases in Pakistan, bringing the total number of cases this year to 52, ARY News reported on Friday, citing sources.

    According to sources, the National Reference Lab confirmed the cases, which were detected in Dera Ismail Khan’s Tehsil Darazinda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    The new cases include a three-year-old boy and a one-and-a-half-year-old girl, both of whom tested positive for Wild Poliovirus Type 1.

    Sources revealed that the genetic analysis of the virus is currently underway.

    So far this year, five polio cases have been registered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 24 in Balochistan, 13 in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad.

    Read more: Pakistan reports 50th polio case of 2024

    Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of polio vaccination campaigns to curb the spread of the virus, particularly in high-risk areas.

    The recent rise in polio cases in Pakistan has sparked concerns for international organizations, sources said.

    According to sources, the international organization has called on Pakistan to implement emergency measures.

    Sources revealed that Pakistan has assured the international organizations of taking swift action to control polio. Furthermore, these organizations who work to combat the virus likely to visit Pakistan later this month.

  • Bilawal forms committee to raise grievances with Centre

    Bilawal forms committee to raise grievances with Centre

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has formed a committee to raise grievances with the Federal government, ARY News reported.

    As per details, the committee will comprise Raja Pervez Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Makhdoom Ahmed Mahmoud, Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Hyder, Governor Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi and Haider Gilani.

    The committee will interact with the Federal government to raise the different issues and will submit its report to the meeting of Central Executive Committee (CEC) to be held next month.

    The notification in this regard was issued from the Chairman’s Secretariat by his Political Secretary Jameel Soomro here on Wednesday.

    Earlier today, People’s Party formally suggested election of the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) chairman by members until the matter decided.

    PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwalla has written a letter to NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and demanded holding a session of the PAC on a requisition of the committee’s members, parliamentary sources said.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the Parliament has yet to decide about its most important public accounts committee.

    Read more: PPP suggests election of PAC chair by members until final decision

    The Public Accounts Committee’s 11 members have submitted a requisition for the PAC session

    The PPP has hinted at calling the PAC session itself, if the committee’s meeting not being summoned formally.

  • Pakistan ‘reports’ over 20,000 dengue cases in 2024

    Pakistan ‘reports’ over 20,000 dengue cases in 2024

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reported over 20,000 dengue cases in the ongoing year of 2024, ARY News reported on Wednesday, quoting sources within the NIH.

    According to the report compiled by the National Institute of Health (NIH), Pakistan has reported 20,057 dengue cases from  January 1 to November 15.

    The sources said 10 people lost their lives due to dengue during the same period. The NIH sources told ARY News that Sindh and GB did not share the data regarding dengue cases so far.

    As per a breakup of the cases, Balochistan remains on top with 6,958 dengue cases, while Punjab stands second with 5,405 dengue cases and eight deaths.

    In 2024, KP reported 3,649 dengue cases and two deaths, while AJK registered 245 cases. FATA reported 46 cases and Islamabad registered 3,754 dengue cases.

    Read more: Karachi: Govt announces campaign to combat dengue

    Preventive measures to protect yourself from dengue

    • Wear long sleeves and use repellents to avoid mosquito bites
    • Avoid going outside after sunset and steer clear of areas with standing water, uncut grass, and garbage piles
    • Seek medical advice instead of self-medicating
    • Contact field monitoring teams to get dengue spray in your area

    Symptoms of dengue fever

    The health authorities have advised the public to take necessary precautions and directed medical facilities to dedicate special counters for dengue-related cases.

    The district administration is working to control the larvae through various mechanisms.

    Dengue fever can lead to a deficiency of platelets and even become life-threatening if left untreated.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stress the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms arise.

  • DRAP ‘directs’ provinces to launch crack down against illegal drugs

    DRAP ‘directs’ provinces to launch crack down against illegal drugs

    ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued directives to provincial governments to crack down on illegal drugs and medical devices, ARY News reported citing sources.

    As per details, the development came after revelation of imported illegal medicines and surgical instruments being used in hospitals.

    Sources revealed that DRAP has sent letters to all four provinces, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, instructing them to take action against those selling, using, or importing unauthorized medical products.

    The regulatory body has also ordered its field force to conduct effective surveillance of the medicine market and investigate the supply chain of illegal products.

    Also read: Famila: DRAP recalls batch of popular birth control drug

    Last week, the Drug Regulatory Authority banned the sale and use of the defective batch of Famila injection, a birth control medication, after it was found to be substandard.

    The injection, manufactured by a private pharmaceutical in Karachi, was being sold in Karachi.

    The decision came after the Central Drug Testing Laboratory declared a batch No. 83 of Famila injection as substandard. The DRAP issued a product recall alert, warning that using the non-standard injection can be harmful to health and potentially cause blood infections.

  • MDCAT 2024 likely to be held on THIS date in Islamabad

    MDCAT 2024 likely to be held on THIS date in Islamabad

    The possible date for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2024 retake in Islamabad has been revealed, ARY News reported on Thursday, quoting sources.

    The re-registration process of the candidates on the orders of the Islamabad High Court has been completed showing 17,597 candidates, the sources said.

    The recent registration has shown a drastic decrease in the number of candidates willing to take the test. Earlier 53,105 candidates were registered for the MDCAT but now only 17,597 have registered themselves.

    It may be noted in October, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) set aside the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2024 results and ordered to reconduct it.

    Read more: IHC nullifies MDCAT results, orders retest within month

    In its order, the IHC maintained that the MDCAT paper was out syllabus, directing the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Medical Bhutto University to reconduct the same within a month.

    According to the IHC, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) also declared the paper out of syllabus.

    IHC’s Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued a one-page order, directing the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Medical Bhutto University  to reconduct test of the Islamabad based applicants

    In which it was said that the applicants of Islamabad limits should take the MD CAT exam again, Shaheed Zulfiqar Bhutto University will conduct the MD CAT test again in a month.

  • DRAP bans sale of THIS counterfeit injection in Pakistan

    DRAP bans sale of THIS counterfeit injection in Pakistan

    Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has banned the sale and usage of counterfeit injection Rhophylac, mainly used by patients of blood disorders, ARY News reported.

    It is important to note that Rhophylac injection is a medication used for anti-D immunoglobulin.

    Additionally, DRAP has issued a recall product alert advising against the use of the human anti-D immunoglobulin drug.

    As per reports, the information regarding counterfeit injections has been communicated by the provincial drug inspector and a pharmaceutical company based in Karachi.

    Original Rhophylac injection is available in pharmacies throughout the country. The counterfeit injection samples are marked with incorrect information.

    Also read: Famila: DRAP recalls batch of popular birth control drug

    Moreover, the sample injections have been labeled with two different batch numbers, and the bar code also corresponds to a different batch number.

    Using counterfeit injections could result in severe health consequences. DRAP has also instructed the national regulatory field force to increase monitoring. The regulatory team is to confiscate the mentioned Rhophylac batch from the markets.

    Falsified_Rhophylac_300_mcg_PFS_Rapid_alert

    Last week, the Drug Regulatory Authority banned the sale and use of the defective batch of Famila injection, a birth control medication, after it was found to be substandard.

    The injection, manufactured by a private pharmaceutical in Karachi, was being sold in Karachi.

    The decision came after the Central Drug Testing Laboratory declared a batch No. 83 of Famila injection as substandard. The DRAP issued a product recall alert, warning that using the non-standard injection can be harmful to health and potentially cause blood infections.

  • Famila: DRAP recalls batch of popular birth control drug

    Famila: DRAP recalls batch of popular birth control drug

    ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) banned the sale and use of the defective batch of Famila injection, a birth control medication, after it was found to be substandard, ARY News reported.

    The injection, manufactured by a private pharmaceutical in Karachi, was being sold in Karachi.

    The decision came after the Central Drug Testing Laboratory declared a batch No. 83 of Famila injection as substandard. The DRAP issued a product recall alert, warning that using the non-standard injection can be harmful to health and potentially cause blood infections.

    The manufacturer has been directed by the DRAP to immediately recall the defective batch of product from the market. The regulatory body also directed all pharmacists and chemists working at distributions and pharmacies to immediately check their stocks and stop supplying the defective batch of products.

    Read More: DRAP issues recall alert for suspected, fake anti-rabies vaccines

    “The remaining stock should be quarantined and returned to the supplier/ company. The regulatory field force of all federating units (DRAP and Provincial Health Departments) also increased surveillance in the market to ensure the effective recall of defective products,” the DRAP added.

    The distributors and pharmacies are advised to be vigilant and report any suspected batch of the product in the supply chain to the DRAP using the online form, or by Email at [email protected].

    The DRAP also asked the consumers to stop using the product bearing the affected batch number. “They (consumers) shall contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problem that may be related to using this product,” the regulatory product added.

    Earlier, the DRAP issued a product recall alert regarding the availability of suspected and fake anti-rabies vaccines in the market.

    According to DRAP, the suspected vaccine, “Shore-Rab,” is manufactured by an Indian company but is not registered with DRAP. The specific batch in question is marked as “RO10821.”

    The DRAP warned that the use of this unregistered anti-rabies vaccine poses a severe health risk, particularly to individuals bitten by dogs.

    The alert was sent to the DRAP field force, provincial drug authorities, health professionals, and pharmacies.

  • NIH ‘compiles’ report on dengue cases in Pakistan

    NIH ‘compiles’ report on dengue cases in Pakistan

    The National Institute of Health (NIH) has compiled a nationwide report on dengue cases, detailing data from January 1 to October 26, ARY News reported on Sunday, citing sources. 

    Dengue (break-bone fever) is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates.

    According to details, the number of dengue cases is increasing in Pakistan as so far this year, the total number of dengue cases across Pakistan has reached 15,997 cases recorded, and ten fatalities reported nationwide, the sources said.

    The report indicates that Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan have yet to share their dengue data with the federal government. However, the highest number of cases has emerged from Balochistan, where 6,831 cases have been reported, though no fatalities have occurred there this year.

    In Punjab, 4,390 dengue cases have been recorded, with eight deaths, while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there have been 1,853 cases and two fatalities.

    Islamabad reported 2,714 cases, with no fatalities. Cases in Azad Kashmir reached 171, and former FATA recorded 38 cases, with no deaths reported in Azad Kashmir or Gilgit-Baltistan.

    Read more: Rawalpindi reports 93 dengue cases in 24 hours

    Monthly data shows only 15 cases reported in January, with numbers peaking in April with 2,310 cases and spiking again in September and October, with 3,455 and 5,205 cases, respectively. The first dengue-related death occurred in July, while September saw the highest fatalities, with seven deaths reported.

    In comparison, in 2023, Pakistan reported a total of 21,016 dengue cases and three fatalities.

    The best way to prevent the disease is to avoid bites from infected mosquitoes, especially if you are living in or traveling to a tropical area. This involves protecting yourself and making efforts to keep the mosquito population down.

    To protect yourself:

    • Use mosquito repellents, even indoors.
    • When outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks.
    • When indoors, use air conditioning if available.
    • Make sure the window and door screens are secure and free of holes. If sleeping areas are not screened or air-conditioned, use mosquito nets.
    • If you have symptoms of dengue, speak to your doctor.