LAHORE: In light of orders of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, City Raiwind police arrested the top officials of Medicina and Medisearch pharmaceuticals for supplying substandard, adulterated and spurious medicines to the Hafizabad DHQ Hospital.

Cases were registered against Medicina Managing Director Riasat Ali Bhatti, Production Manager Zohra Sameen, Nauman Ahmed and Medisearch Director Operations Uneez Ali Nagra in Raiwind City and Manga Mandi police stations.

According to a handout, Almajax syrup manufactured by Medisearch Pharmaceutical and Ofcil injection prepared by Medicina Pharmaceutical had been supplied to the hospital. After a number of complaints received about the standard of these medicines, the chief minister took notice and directed health department authorities to hold an investigation and submit a report.

The drug testing laboratory of the health department declared Almajax substandard, while coagulated particles could easily be seen in Ofcil.

In light of the report, the chief minister directed Capital City Police Officer retired Capt Amin Wains to take immediate action and arrest those involved in the production and sale of substandard medicines.

The Raiwind City deputy superintendent of police accompanied by his station house officer as well as of Manga Mandi, drug inspectors of Allama Iqbal Town and Nishtar Town raided and sealed Medicina and Medisearch pharmaceuticals. Medicina Pharmaceutical Managing Director Riasat Ali Bhatti, Production Manager Zohra Sameen, Quality Control Manager Nauman Ahmed and Medisearch Director Operations Unees Ali Nagra were arrested and cases registered against them.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2014