A health scare has surfaced in Pakistan’s food and pharmaceutical industries, raising concerns about the safety of imported solvents.
The issue revolves around the adulteration of pharmaceutical- and food-grade propylene glycol (PEG) with industrial-grade PEG containing potentially harmful impurities.
This contamination could have serious health consequences for consumers. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of this alarming situation.
The Contamination Crisis
Officials have uncovered a disturbing practice where industrial-grade propylene glycol (PEG), which may contain toxic contaminants like Ethylene Glycol (EG) and Diethylene Glycol (DEG), is being mixed with pharmaceutical- and food-grade PEG.
This adulteration has been reported across smaller pharmaceutical businesses and the food industry in Pakistan, posing a significant health risk to consumers.
Price Discrepancy
One of the key indicators of this contamination is the stark difference in pricing. Imported pharmaceutical- and food-grade PEG, which adheres to permissible limits of impurities, is priced between Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000.
However, local industries are receiving this mixture at a significantly lower price, ranging from Rs. 800 to Rs. 1,000. Experts argue that such a drastic price difference can only be achieved if industrial-grade PEG is being used, despite its potential hazardous contaminants.
Recalls and Laboratory Testing
Prompt action by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has prevented any harmful incidents related to medicine consumption so far. DRAP initiated recalls of cough syrup and its raw materials after detecting toxic contaminants during laboratory testing.
For instance, a pharmaceutical company’s cough syrup was found to contain more than 25% ethylene glycol (EG), a dangerous level of contamination.
Customs Alert and Testing
DRAP has not only recalled contaminated products but has also taken proactive measures to prevent further incidents. They have alerted customs authorities to test chemicals, including Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, and Sorbitol, at entry points before permitting their use in therapeutic goods manufacturing.
This move aims to safeguard consumers from dangerous levels of EG and DEG, as seen in raw materials imported from Thailand. The contamination of solvents in Pakistan’s food and pharmaceutical industries is a matter of grave concern.
The swift response by regulatory authorities highlights the importance of rigorous testing and quality control in the manufacturing process.