The sale of counterfeit medicines in Sindh has been exposed, as provincial drug inspectors seized several medicines, which were later declared fake by the Provincial Drug Testing Laboratory. These include antibiotics, children’s syrups, and medications for sleep and other ailments from seven different companies. Authorities revealed that the companies manufacturing these medicines do not even exist.
Samples of the seized medicines were sent to the Sindh Drug Testing Laboratory after being confiscated from various areas in Karachi by drug inspectors of the Sindh Health Department.
According to Adnan Rizvi, head of the Sindh Drug Testing Laboratory, test results confirmed that the medicines were counterfeit and did not contain the required molecular compounds.
Speaking to SAMAA, he stated that the seized medicines include children’s syrups, antibiotics, and sleeping aids. The companies involved in this racket are East Pharma Lahore, Miraz Pharma Kasur, Brom Pharma Lahore, Menacline Pharma Karachi, Puram Pharma Peshawar, Alpine Laboratories Karachi, and Multicare Pharma Karachi.
He further disclosed that the addresses mentioned on the packaging were from Karachi, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Sheikhupura, and Hayatabad. However, when drug inspectors visited these locations, no such pharmaceutical companies were found. This confirms that these fake companies are involved in producing counterfeit medicines.
Adnan Rizvi also mentioned that the Punjab Drug Administration was contacted for verification, and they confirmed that no such pharmaceutical company existed at the given Sheikhupura address.
The head of the Sindh Drug Testing Laboratory warned that these fake pharmaceutical manufacturers are endangering people’s lives. Innocent citizens are unknowingly consuming counterfeit medicines, which not only fail to treat their illnesses but, in some cases, can even lead to death.
He urged the public to purchase medicines only from registered pharmacies to avoid fake drugs.
He further emphasized that if they had an independent enforcement force, they could take immediate action against such cases and bring the culprits to justice. However, due to the absence of such a force, they have to rely on law enforcement agencies for action.
