A new WHO alert highlights the dangers of falsified DOW propylene glycol in Pakistan. The contaminated raw material has been used in the manufacture of oral liquid medicines, potentially leading to serious health consequences.
 |
| The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about the detection of falsified DOW USP/EP propylene glycol in Pakistan, which has been linked to contaminated oral liquid medicines. The counterfeit raw material poses significant health risks and has been distributed to various countries. Symbolic image |
Islamabad, Pakistan - October 10, 2024:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global alert regarding the detection of falsified DOW USP/EP Propylene Glycol in Pakistan. This raw material is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as an excipient in various oral liquid medicines.
The falsified propylene glycol was found to be contaminated with ethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance. This is not the first time such a situation has occurred; in April 2024, WHO issued a similar alert regarding the detection of contaminated batches of the same material.
The latest alert highlights the serious risks posed by these falsified materials, which can lead to severe health complications and even death. The contaminated medicines may have been distributed to other countries, including through informal or unregulated markets.
Manufacturers of oral liquid medicines are urged to exercise extreme caution when sourcing raw materials and to conduct thorough quality checks to ensure the safety of their products. WHO has also provided guidance on analytical methods for detecting ethylene glycol contamination in liquid preparations.
Regulatory authorities and healthcare professionals are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of adverse events related to the use of contaminated medicines. Patients who experience unusual symptoms after taking oral liquid medicines should seek immediate medical attention.
The WHO's alert serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining a robust and vigilant regulatory framework to prevent the distribution of substandard or falsified medical products.