LAHORE: The Punjab government has ordered all hospitals in the province to immediately stop using the antibacterial injection Ceftriaxone following the death of one patient and the adverse reaction affecting 18 others at Mayo Hospital, Lahore. The injection, reportedly set to expire in May 2026, has raised serious safety concerns, prompting an urgent investigation.
Hospital Alert Following Tragic Incident
The alarming situation came to light after a 36-year-old female patient, Noreen, died due to an alleged reaction to Ceftriaxone in the Chest Surgery Ward of Mayo Hospital. Initially, 15 other patients were reported to have suffered adverse effects, but the number has now risen to 18. In response, the hospital administration immediately ceased the use of the injection and formed an inquiry committee led by Prof. Dr. Asrar-ul-Haq, comprising the Chief Pharmacist, Deputy Nursing Superintendent, and Assistant Medical Superintendent (AMS) of Mayo Hospital.
Government Response and Investigation
Punjab's Secretary of Health, Azmat Mahmood, confirmed the fatality due to the suspected reaction and swiftly imposed a province-wide ban on Ceftriaxone injection pending further investigation. A high-level committee has been constituted to examine the circumstances leading to the tragedy, including the procurement process and possible lapses in quality control.
According to sources, the Ceftriaxone injection was procured by the Director General of Health Punjab, while Mayo Hospital itself did not directly purchase the medication. Concerns have been raised about the quality and safety checks of the injection, as reports suggest that medicines were acquired without proper laboratory testing.
Jinnah Hospital Also Returns Injection Stock
Following the incident at Mayo Hospital, Jinnah Hospital Lahore also received a batch of the injection from the health department. However, upon learning of the casualty, Jinnah Hospital returned the entire stock to prevent further risks to patients.
Chief Minister Punjab Orders Strict Action
Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has taken serious notice of the incident, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of life. She has directed the Secretary of Health, Specialized Healthcare Department, to submit a detailed report on the matter and ensure accountability for any negligence. The Chief Minister has also ordered that all affected patients receive the best possible treatment and that measures be put in place to prevent such incidents in the future.
Concerns Over Drug Safety and Procurement Procedures
The tragic incident has reignited concerns about the procurement and testing procedures for medicines in Punjab’s public healthcare system. Experts argue that ensuring proper lab testing before distributing medicines to hospitals is crucial to preventing such catastrophic incidents.
With an official investigation underway, the Punjab government is under pressure to implement stricter pharmaceutical oversight to restore public confidence in the healthcare system. As authorities probe the root cause of the injection reaction, the focus remains on patient safety and preventing further casualties.