The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has directed the immediate withdrawal of a specific batch of Anarob antibiotic infusion after tests revealed dangerous levels of bacterial toxins, raising concerns for patient safety.
Anarob Infusion, which contains metronidazole, is widely used in hospitals as an intravenous treatment for severe bacterial infections in the stomach, lungs, skin, joints, and other areas when oral medications are ineffective.
According to a medical alert issued on Tuesday, DRAP’s Central Drugs Laboratory declared the tested samples “substandard” due to the presence of bacterial endotoxins. The authority cautioned that the use of the contaminated batch could trigger serious reactions, including fever, chills, septic shock, and other life-threatening complications—particularly among hospitalized and immunocompromised patients.
The affected batch, identified as H24219, has been flagged for immediate recall. DRAP has instructed its field officers and provincial drug control departments to conduct urgent market surveys to ensure the product’s removal. Distribution centres and pharmacies have been ordered to quarantine existing stocks and return them to the supplier.
Healthcare professionals and pharmacists have also been urged to heighten vigilance across the supply chain and report any adverse events or quality concerns to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre through its official reporting system. Consumers who have used the affected infusion have been advised to discontinue its use immediately, consult their healthcare provider, and notify DRAP if they encounter any related health issues.
This is not the first such case. In March last year, DRAP recalled a children’s fever syrup over safety concerns, while in January 2024, the regulator ordered the withdrawal of nine contaminated syrups from the market.