LAHORE: Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi formed new 10-member committee to look into situation arising from locally manufactured adulterated Avastin injection that has allegedly resulted in loss of vision among several diabetic patients in different cities of Punjab.

According to CM office information, Punjab Health Minister Dr. Javed Akram has been appointed as head of investigation committee and Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Dr. Jamal Nasir will be co-convener of committee.  Other members of committee include Punjab Additional Chief Secretary, Punjab Law Secretary, Additional Secretary of Development of Primary Healthcare, King Edward Medical University Vice Chancellor, Department of Specialised Healthcare Additional Secretary (Technical), Professor Dr. Asad Aslam, Director General Drugs Control Punjab and any other members deemed necessary by committee.

 Committee will thoroughly examine incident from all aspects and determine causes and reasons for this unfortunate incident. Committee will analyse current clinical practices regarding use of this injection and determine whether these practices are adequate. Committee will identify deficiencies in work of manufacturers, distributors, compounders, suppliers, ophthalmology clinics and field regulators of injection and will determine liability.  Shortcomings and weaknesses will be clearly identified at each level. Committee will present comprehensive action plan to deal with such incidents in future.

Committee will be able to make any other proposal in this regard based on information obtained during its work. This committee will complete its work in seven days and submit its recommendations to Punjab Chief Minister Naqvi.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 27 2023

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