Following recent concerns over adverse drug reactions, including the controversy surrounding Coldrif syrup, the Punjab government has ordered the immediate suspension of eight intravenous medicines and fluids produced by three pharmaceutical companies.
In a circular issued by the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, all civil surgeons, medical superintendents, and district hospital heads have been instructed to halt the use, distribution, and purchase of the affected drugs with immediate effect. The order, dated October 10, stated that this decision was taken after reports of suspected adverse reactions surfaced from several healthcare facilities. As a precaution, the state has decided to suspend the use of the specified batches until further notice.
The order lists particular batches of normal saline, dextrose, ciprofloxacin, DNS, and other intravenous fluids manufactured by Swaroop Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, Otsuka Pharmaceutical India Pvt Ltd, and Health Biotech Ltd. Among the flagged products are two batches of normal saline made in May 2025, one batch of dextrose injection, and ciprofloxacin injections produced in late 2024. The government has also stopped the use of DNS 0.9 percent, N/2 plus dextrose fluid, and bupivacaine with dextrose, which were manufactured between December 2023 and December 2024.
The Directorate has directed all government hospitals and healthcare institutions to comply immediately. It has also asked the Punjab Health Systems Corporation to assess the reported cases of adverse reactions linked to these drugs and submit a detailed evaluation after convening an expert panel.
A senior health department official said the decision was taken purely as a precaution to ensure patient safety and would remain in force until the quality and safety of the affected batches are verified.
This directive follows the recent withdrawal of Coldrif cough syrup, manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals, after suspected cases of adverse reactions were reported in several districts. Health officials emphasized that the latest action highlights the government’s strict stance against any compromise in drug quality and its commitment to protecting public health.
