LAHORE: The interim administration of Punjab has constituted a 15-member committee to probe into the adverse effects of Avastin injections in the province where so far 68 cases of eye sight damage have surfaced because of the drug’s reaction.
A notification to this effect has been issued in compliance with the directives of the caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, giving the committee a seven-day time frame to furnish its report.
In a parallel development, Health Minister Dr Javed Akram has been appointed as the chairperson of the inquiry committee, while Minister for Primary Health Dr Jamal Nasir will be its co-convener.
The committee is mandated to conduct a comprehensive inquiry, scrutinizing the recent episode of drug reaction, particularly focusing on the medical practitioners' decisions regarding the utilisation of Avastin injection.
A detailed report concerning the use of Avastin by ophthalmic surgeons will also be compiled.
The committee will assess every stage of Avastin injection manufacturing, distribution, and supply. It intends to compile a report highlighting any shortcomings in market access, with the prime objective of averting any future incidents.
The inquiry committee also includes additional chief secretary, secretary law, and special secretary health, as well as vice chancellor of the King Edward Medical University, Prof Asad Aslam.
