LAHORE: The findings of the final inquiry into Avastin injection scam have declared the serious violation of SOPs [standard operating procedures] for supply and the maintenance of the cold chain that led to the outbreak of the eye disease in Punjab.

Two provincial health ministers Prof Javed Akram and Dr Jamal Nasir shared the details of the investigations with the media here on Monday, declaring the Avastin injection a quality drug.

Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department Minister Dr Javed Akram said that a total of 66 people were affected by the Avastin injection across the province when the scam surfaced in September.

“After this scandal we extended the scope of the inquiry involving the police and other relevant government departments,” he said.

Minister says contamination of water during transportation behind infection; govt to allow use for cancer patients; panel to decide usage for eye

Mr Akram said Avastin injection of the Roche Company was an infection-free drug.

“We acquired all the data of the cold chain starting from Lahore to other cities,” he said adding that the health department would also make the batches of the injection soon.

“During transportation of the injection to other cities the contamination of water caused infection,” Prof Akram said.

He lamented that the staff used cargo and passenger buses for the transportation of the highly sensitive drug and this was the major violation reported in the inquiry finding.

Primary and Secondary Healthcare Minister Dr Jamal Nasir said the Punjab Healthcare Commission has checked and suspended 26 services in various places in the wake of the investigations into Avastin injection inquiry.

He said the government would allow use of the Avastin injection for cancer patients.

The chief minister has formed a team of experts which will make SOPs and then the health department would decide whether it would be used in the eye or not.

“We will review import of injections under the government umbrella and decision in this regard will also be taken soon”, Dr Nasir said.

Drug Control Authority Director General Dr Sohail told the media that Avastin was a time-tested injection for cancer patients that was used world over.

He appealed for not maligning the drug and the company as the high-level investigations had been conducted.

“Our drug-testing laboratories are as per international standards and we got the root cause of this incident while expanding the scope of investigations”, Dr Sohail said.

He said DIG Investigation Imran Kashwar informed the health authorities that initially three suspects, including Bilal Maqsood and Asim, were identified and arrested in this case.

To a question, he said, out of the total eye infection cases, 57 were reported from southern Punjab. The standard operating procedures were not followed in the transportation process of injection which caused the eye infection incidents when the drug was administered, adding all responsible people will have to face the music in this case.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2023