Prohibition on the purchase and use of eight medicines in government hospitals

October 13, 2025

The Punjab Health Department has banned the purchase and use of eight drugs manufactured by three pharmaceutical companies in all government hospitals in the state.

These drugs banned

This decision was taken after patients complained of side effects after administering the drugs. The banned drugs include normal saline, dextrose, ciprofloxacin, DNS, N/2 + dextrose, and dextrose injection with bupivacaine HCL. These drugs were manufactured between 2023 and 2025.

The Health Department has sent a copy of the order to all civil surgeons, urging them to immediately ban the use, distribution, and purchase of these drugs. Patients who have experienced side effects due to these drugs have been asked to inform the department.

Previously, the Punjab Food and Drugs Administration (Drugs Wing) had banned Coldrif syrup, clarifying that it was adulterated and harmful to health due to its excessive concentration (46.28%) of diethylene glycol. 23 children died in Madhya Pradesh due to the syrup.