KARACHI: Highlighting critical clinical factors, the Pakistan Paediatric Association (PPA) in a letter has urged the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) to grant an exemption or targeted exclusion for 10cc conventional syringes to safeguard neonatal and paediatric operations.
Following surge of HIV cases associated with unsafe medical practices particularly the alleged reuse of contaminated syringes, Drap has imposed a complete ban on conventional 1cc (non-insulin) disposable syringes with effect from Dec 31, 2026. It also imposed a ban on retail/ market sale of conventional 10cc disposal syringes from Jan 1, 2027.
In the letter, PPA’s Dr Muhammad Khalid Shafi asked Drap’s chief executive officer that the healthcare system “confronts an unprecedented and alarming surge in paediatric HIV cases across Pakistan, it is paramount that all public health regulatory measures prioritise this crisis as a top-tier national emergency. However, to effectively curb transmission without compromising patient outcomes, regulatory decisions must remain rigorously evidence-based, targeted, and aligned with clinical realities”.
Dr Shafi, also the chairperson of the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group, points out that while Drap’s objective to eliminate syringe reuse through regulatory enforcement is commendable in intent, the recent blanket policy banning conventional/manual syringes — specifically the 10cc size — presents severe unintended risks to paediatric and neonatal care across the country.
