DRAP-Issued Rapid Alerts Regarding Spurious and Falsified Medications – 27 October 2026
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) issued rapid alerts dated 21, 22, and 27 October 2026 regarding spurious and falsified therapeutic goods reported in the Pakistani market. The alerts concern Velosef, Augmentin, No-Spa Forte, Mucaine Suspension, Brexin Tablet, and Vaxigrip Tetra vaccine. Healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities, and consumers are advised to review the affected products and batch numbers to minimize potential risks to public health.
1. Rapid Alerts: Spurious/Falsified Drug Products (Velosef 500mg Capsule, Augmentin 625mg Tablet, No-Spa Forte 80mg Tablet, and Mucaine Suspension)
Date of Alert: October 21, 2026
DRAP Alert No.: No I/S/10-26-43
Alert Details
The Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL), Sindh, Karachi, has announced the following drug product samples spurious/falsified under Section 3(z-b) (ii) & 3(z-b) (i) of the Drugs Act, 1976. The samples were referred to the laboratory by the Area Provincial Inspector of Drugs, Karachi. The respective manufacturers have disowned these samples.
Details of Therapeutic Goods
Product Name: Velosef 500mg Capsule
Batch Number: LX3E
Purported Manufacturer: GlaxoSmithKline Pakistan Ltd, plot 5, Sector 21, K.I.A Karachi
Reason for Alert: The sample was declared spurious because it does not contain the active ingredient, Cephradine.
Product Name: Augmentin 625mg Tablet
Batch Number: YT9D
Purported Manufacturer: GlaxoSmithKline Pakistan Ltd, F/268 SITE Karachi
Reason for Alert: The sample was declared spurious because it does not contain the active ingredients, Amoxicillin Trihydrate & Clavulanic Acid.
Product Name: No-Spa Forte 80mg Tablet
Batch Number: AN010
Purported Manufacturer: Hoechst Pakistan Limited, plot No. 23 Sec 22 Korangi Industrial Area Karachi
Reason for Alert: The sample was declared spurious because it does not contain the active ingredient, Drotaverine Hydrochloride.
Product Name: Mucaine Suspension
Batch Number: 257A088
Purported Manufacturer: Lucky Core Industries Limited, S 33, Hawkes Bay Road, SITE Karachi
Reason for Alert: The sample was declared spurious because it does not contain the declared active ingredients.
Risk Statement
The use of these products may lead to treatment failure due to the absence of their declared active ingredients and may pose potential risks to patient safety.
2. Rapid Alert: Spurious/Falsified Brexin Tablet
Date of Alert: October 22, 2026
DRAP Alert No.: No I/S/10-26-44
Alert Details
The Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL), Sindh, Karachi, has declared the following drug product sample spurious/falsified under Section 3(z-b) (ii) & 3(z-b) (i) of the Drugs Act, 1976. The sample was referred to the laboratory by the Area Provincial Inspector of Drugs, Karachi. The manufacturer has disowned the sample.
Details of Therapeutic Goods
Product Name: Brexin Tablet
Batch Number: W68C
Purported Manufacturer: M/s Glaxo Smith Kline Pakistan Ltd, F/268 SITE Karachi
Licence Details: Under license of M/s Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A Pharma Italy.
Reason for Alert: The sample was declared spurious because it does not contain the active ingredient, Piroxicam B-Cyclodextrin.
Risk Statement
The use of this product may result in treatment failure due to the absence of the declared active ingredient and may pose potential risks to patient safety.
3. Rapid Alert: Falsified Influenza Vaccine Vaxigrip Tetra (Batch # Y4B34)
Date of Alert: October 27, 2026
DRAP Alert No.: No I/S/10-26-47
Alert Details
M/s Hoechst Pakistan Limited, Plot No. 23, Sector 22, Korangi Industrial Area, Karachi, has reported the presence of a falsified drug product, Vaxigrip Tetra, in the market. The product is a quadrivalent influenza vaccine, and the suspected batch has been identified as Y4B34.
Details of Therapeutic Goods
Product Name: Vaxigrip Tetra Vaccine
Dosage Form: Suspension for Injection in Pre-filled Syringe
Batch Number: Y4B34
Purported Manufacturer: M/s Sanofi Winthrop Industrie, France
Reason for Alert: The suspected batch, Y4B34, has never been imported or distributed in Pakistan.
Risk Statement
The use of the falsified Vaxigrip Tetra vaccine (Batch # Y4B34) may pose serious safety and quality concerns for public health.
Actions Taken
The Regulatory Field Force has been instructed to conduct surveillance and seize the above-mentioned batches of the medications.
Pharmacists, chemists, distributors, and healthcare professionals must urgently inspect their stocks. Details of suppliers of such products should be reported to the Regulatory Field Force (DRAP and Provincial Drug Control Departments) to ensure removal from circulation.
Distributors and pharmacies are advised to be vigilant and report any suspected batch of the product(s) in the supply chain to the DRAP using the online form, or by Email at gsms@dra.gov.pk.
Guidance for Healthcare Professionals
Any adverse events or quality concerns linked to these medicines should be reported to the National or Provincial Pharmacovigilance Centres via the Adverse Event Reporting Form or through the official online portal.
Read Also: Working of VigiMobile App for ADRs reporting to Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC)
How to download VigiMobile App for ADRs reporting
Guidance for Consumers
Consumers must avoid these products. If anyone experiences health problems after using them, they should immediately consult a healthcare provider and report the incident to DRAP / the National Pharmacovigilance Centre.
Always purchase therapeutic goods only from licensed pharmacies or authorized outlets. Carefully check the authenticity and condition of products, and consult a pharmacist or healthcare professional in case of doubt.
References:
Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. (2026, October 21). 43. Rapid alert: Spurious/falsified (Velosef 500mg tablet, Augmentin 625mg tablet, No-Spa Forte 80mg tablet, Mucaine Suspension). https://www.dra.gov.pk/safety_info/product_recalls/recall_alerts/44-spurious-falsified-velosef-500mg-tablet-augmentin-625mg-tablet-no-spa-forte-80mg-tablet-mucaine-suspension/
Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. (2026, October 22). 44. Rapid alert: Spurious/falsified Brexin tablet. https://www.dra.gov.pk/safety_info/product_recalls/recall_alerts/44-rapid-alert-spurious-falsified-brexin-tablet/
Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. (2026, October 27). 47. Rapid alert: Falsified influenza vaccine Vaxigrip Tetra (Batch # Y4B34). https://www.dra.gov.pk/safety_info/product_recalls/recall_alerts/47-rapid-alert-falsified-influenza-vaccine-vaxigrip-tetra-batch-y4b34/
Disclaimer
This content is shared solely for educational and public awareness purposes and is based on publicly available DRAP safety alerts and recall notices. It does not represent an official DRAP communication, medical advice, or regulatory directive. Readers consult qualified healthcare professionals before making any medical or regulatory decisions.
