The Punjab government and DRAP regularly monitor the quality of medicines sold in the province. These checks are done to ensure that all drugs meet safety efficacy and quality standards. Any medicine found to be substandard adulterated or unsafe is immediately suspended or recalled from the market to protect public health.
Role of Punjab Drug Control Authorities
The Directorate of Drugs Control Punjab is responsible for inspecting pharmacies wholesalers and distributors. They carry out laboratory testing on site inspections and monitoring of import and local manufacturing practices. When a medicine fails quality tests authorities issue recall alerts suspension notices and public warnings to prevent its use.
List of Recalled and Substandard Medicines by Punjab / DRAP
| S.No | Medicine Name (Active Ingredient) | Batch Number(s) | Manufacturer | Quality Status |
| 1 | Injection Neudex (Dexamethasone) | DX029, DX039, DX040, DX041, DX033, DX031, DX045, DX042, DX044, DX046, DX047, DX048, DX049, DX050, DX051, DX053, DX052, DX060, DX059 | Neutro Pharma Pvt Ltd | Adulterated |
| 2 | Injection Ame-Pin (Tramadol) | TD-042 | Ameer Pharma Pvt Ltd | Substandard |
| 3 | Tablet Rolekast 10mg (Montelukast) | 1397 | Roryan Pharmaceutical Industries | Substandard |
| 4 | Injection Freclomide (Metoclopramide) | 25MC09 | Friends Pharma Pvt Ltd | Substandard |
| 5 | Tablet Loratamin (Loratadine) | Not Specified (All suspected) | – | Adulterated |
| 6 | Tablet Virtec 10mg (Cetirizine) | FK-25-001 | Don Valley Pharmaceuticals | Substandard |
| 7 | Tablet Megadip 5mg (Amlodipine) | 25G337 | Mega Pharmaceuticals Ltd | Substandard |
| 8 | Tablet Ascard 75mg (Aspirin) | AR034L | Atco Laboratories Ltd | Substandard |
| 9 | AOTILAS 120ml Suspension (Domperidone) | S8B05 | Astellas Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd | Substandard |
Public Safety Measures
Once a medicine is recalled pharmacists and healthcare providers are instructed to remove the affected batches from shelves. The public is advised to check their medicines against recall alerts and avoid using any recalled products. These steps are crucial to prevent adverse reactions treatment failure or harm from contaminated medicines.
Importance of Compliance
Compliance with recalls is mandatory for both suppliers and consumers. Manufacturers are required to return or safely dispose of defective batches while healthcare providers must inform patients about potential risks. This ensures that unsafe medicines do not reach hospitals clinics or homes.
Continuous Monitoring and Future Outlook
The Punjab government and DRAP continue to strengthen quality control systems including regular inspections stricter regulations and public awareness campaigns. The goal is to minimize risks associated with substandard and adulterated medicines and maintain trust in the healthcare system.