LAHORE – The Punjab Drug Control Authority (PDCA) has declared several widely used medicines, including multiple cough syrups, as substandard and imposed an immediate ban on their sale across the province.
According to the official alert, various batches of commonly used drugs failed to meet quality standards, posing serious health risks. The most concerning product is Ericof Cough Syrup, which was found to contain excessive amounts of diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical that can cause severe harm to human health. Authorities have ordered the immediate recall of this product from all markets, pharmacies, and medical facilities.
Other products banned by the PDCA include Loratadine 10mg tablets, Cef Med 100mg, and several topical ointments. Citizens, shopkeepers, and hospitals have been instructed to remove these products from shelves immediately and return them to suppliers without delay.
The ban comes amid a sharp rise in flu, cough, dengue, and malaria cases across Punjab, further raising public health concerns. Experts have urged the public to take precautionary measures such as avoiding handshakes, maintaining social distance, wearing masks, and boosting immunity through a balanced diet.
Health authorities have emphasized vigilance, warning that continued use of substandard or toxic medicines could lead to serious health complications. The PDCA has assured that strict monitoring and testing of pharmaceutical products will continue to ensure public safety.
This alert highlights the importance of quality control in the pharmaceutical sector and the need for citizens to be cautious about the medicines they consume.
