Fake Brexin, Danzen DS, Tonoflex and Novidat Flood Punjab Markets, authorities warn

LAHORE – Directorate of Drugs Control (DDC), Punjab Health Department issued Class-I “prompt alert” after declaring four batches of widely used medicines as spurious and substandard in light of findings from Provincial Drug Testing Laboratory. According to official alert, the counterfeit products were traced to unauthorized individuals and suppliers operating outside the legal pharmaceutical distribution network. The department has clarified that the identified batches have no connection with the original manufacturers, despite bearing their labels. The medicines declared spurious include Tablet Brexin 20 mg (batch no. 1207863, expiry February 2027), reportedly labeled under Chiesi Pharmaceuticals; Danzen DS Tablets (batch no. 4476, expiry July 2029), marketed under Helix Pharma branding; Tonoflex-P (batch no. 248N105, expiry June 2027) linked to Sami Pharmaceuticals; and Novidat 500 mg (batch no. 139N086, expiry May 2028), also associated with Sami Pharmaceuticals. Officials said a major portion of counterfeit Novidat 500 mg stock was recovered from a pharmacy in Lahore’s Raiwind Road area (Meditrust Pharmacy), while additional supplies were traced to unauthorized distributors. Under Drugs Act 1976, the sale and use of all identified batches has been immediately prohibited. The Health Department has directed all medical stores, hospitals, and wholesalers to halt distribution, segregate existing stock, and submit compliance reports to the relevant drug inspectors. The department urged patients and the general public to immediately discontinue use of the affected batches and to procure medicines only from licensed pharmacies. It also advised that any suspected adverse drug reaction be reported to the Provincial Pharmacovigilance Centre via the official email mss.pshealth@punjab.gov.pk or designated helpline. Health authorities have said enforcement action is underway and further investigations are continuing to trace the supply chain behind the counterfeit batches. D