Punjab’s Acting Health Minister, Dr. Javed Akram, announced on Wednesday that two individuals have been apprehended in connection with the Avastin injection scandal. This eye medication is believed to be responsible for causing vision impairment in diabetic patients throughout the province.
Dr. Akram emphasized that no leniency would be granted to any suspects involved in this case.
The controversy began when diabetic patients in Lahore, Kasur, and Jhang districts received Avastin injections to address retinal damage. Unfortunately, these injections resulted in severe infections. The problem initially came to light when numerous cases of adverse reactions to the drug were reported in Kasur. According to medical professionals, these patients developed a life-threatening condition known as endophthalmitis, characterized by inflammation of the inner eye layers, ultimately leading to vision loss.
Official data indicates that the purportedly contaminated drug has significantly affected the vision of 68 patients across the province since the scandal emerged. The Punjab government has taken the decisive step of indefinitely banning the use of this eye medication throughout the province. Additionally, they have launched a portal to gather data on affected patients and provide them with necessary treatment.
A comprehensive high-level inquiry is currently underway to determine the primary factors behind the vision loss experienced by patients who received the injection in Punjab.
During a recent media briefing, the provincial health minister revealed that two individuals had been arrested in connection with the injection scam but did not provide specific details about the suspects. He assured the public that the investigation was being conducted rigorously and that all parties involved in the scandal would be brought to justice.
Dr. Akram also noted that surgeries had been performed on 15 out of the 68 reported cases so far, with a strong determination to restore the vision of affected patients.
Furthermore, he stated that all points of sale where the allegedly adulterated eye drug was distributed had been sealed as part of the ongoing investigation. The government’s commitment to a thorough and impartial inquiry into this distressing incident was underscored by Dr. Akram, who clarified that the Punjab government was not subject to any external pressure during the investigation.
