New Delhi: The state government of Punjab in Pakistan has instructed pharmaceutical companies to not use raw materials that are imported from India. The decision was taken in a meeting of owners of local pharmaceutical companies, presided over by Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Pharmaceutical Standing Committee convener, Mr Khwaja Shahzeb Akram.

It was decided that pharma firms in Pakistan will not use active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) of Indian origin and will procure APIs from reliable European sources, even if it meant paying an extra amount.

Pakistan decided to crack the whip on individuals and organizations, involved in adulterating the products of pharmaceutical industry, following the death of people after drinking adulterated cough syrup. The meeting also urged the government to take action against the multi national companies, who used Indian raw material in their products.

Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has appealed to the masses to use cough syrups as prescribed by qualified physicians and avoid overdose. The PPMA said, in a statement, that both the Ethical Lab and the Reko Pharmaca have not only withdrawn their syrups from the market but have also asked the distributors to stop the sale of dextromethorphan cough syrup 120ml and Tyno cough syrup SF 120ml.