Two FIRs registered against eyes injection suppliers : One arrested

Multan: The Health Department of Multan has registered separate FIRs in Cantt and Chahlik police stations regarding the issue of impaired vision due to the injection of Avastin. The suspects named in the cases are Anwar Matro and Bilal. Both suspects were supplying injections without a drug sale license, while no other affected patients were reported in Multan.
In the Chahlik police station, the case was filed upon the request of Drug Inspector Bosan Town Osman Ghani, while in the Cantt police station, it was filed based on the complaint of Drug Inspector Shah Town Naveed Islam. Both cases have been registered under sections 27(1) and sections 269, 335, and 420 of the Drug Act 1976. The accused in the Chahlika case, Bilal Rashid, is associated with Lahore and used to supply injections to eye doctors in Multan from Lahore. In contrast, according to the request filed in the Cantt police station, the accused Anwar mitro is associated with Matro and the recent residence of Shah Rukn Alam Colony. The FIR also states that Bilal Rashid provided ten Avastin injections to Dr. Safdar Hashmi’s Laser Eye Clinic, Zeenat Arcade, on Thursday, which resulted in infections for eight patients who received the same injection. It is also mentioned in the FIR that Bilal Rashid had reported 18 affected patients from Dr. Safdar Hashmi’s private clinic and hospital in Multan. Three patients from Jhang are currently under improper treatment at Nishtar Hospital. Therefore, the total number of reported patients in Multan and various districts of the province who suffered from vision impairment due to injections has reached 21. The Health Department of Punjab has decided to monitor eye hospitals rigorously through drug inspectors, deputy district health officers, and the Punjab Health Care Commission. In this regard, the Punjab Health Department has issued instructions for thorough checking. After this, the teams of DHOs, Drug Inspectors, and PHC will schedule inspections of hospitals in various districts of the province. It is essential to note that all officers concerned will assess the availability of medical facilities, operation theaters, medical equipment, and other matters at eye hospitals. A report on these findings will be sent to higher authorities.
Meanwhile, the police arrested the suspect Bilal Rashid in connection with multiple cases of vision impairment caused by injections. It is reported that the suspect used to prepare Avastin injections from a private hospital in Model Town. He was supplying unregistered and unlicensed injections, while the Lahore police, with the assistance of Arifwala police, apprehended the suspect with certainty. It should be noted that the Special Operations Wing of Punjab Police conducted the operation to apprehend the suspect. Injections were supplied in various districts of Punjab, including Lahore.