Punjab recalls Mecodax injection and cetirizine 10mg batches found substandard
Two batch numbers are affected: Mecodax batch 176 and cetirizine BCT-005. Here is how to check the pack in your cupboard and what to do if it matches.
Punjab's drug regulator has ordered two medicine batches off the shelves after its laboratories found them substandard. The Directorate of Drug Control Punjab issued Drug Safety Alert No. 132/2026 on 16 September, ARY News reported.
If you or a family member bought either product recently, check the batch number on the pack before the next dose.
The two batches
| Product | Registration no. | Batch | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mecodax injection (mecobalamin, a vitamin B12 injection) | 065622 | 176 | August 2027 |
| Cetirizine dihydrochloride 10mg film-coated tablet (an antihistamine for allergies) | 123852 | BCT-005 | February 2027 |
Both were declared substandard by the Drug Testing Laboratories Punjab. The alert applies only to these batches, not to every mecobalamin injection or cetirizine tablet on sale.
What the order says
- Pharmacies, hospitals and distributors must stop dispensing the listed batches and report their stock and sales records to the local drug inspector.
- Manufacturers must recall the batches immediately, investigate the cause and submit a corrective and preventive action plan.
- Patients are told to stop using the affected batches straight away, as they may pose a health risk.
How to check your medicine
- Find the batch number. It is printed on the outer box and the strip or ampoule, usually marked "Batch", "B. No." or "Lot", next to the expiry date.
- Match it exactly. Only batch 176 of Mecodax and batch BCT-005 of the cetirizine tablet are covered.
- If it matches, stop using it and take it back to the pharmacy that sold it. Keep the receipt if you have one.
- Do not stop a prescribed treatment on your own. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a replacement from a different batch or brand. Cetirizine is widely sold under other names, and your doctor can advise on B12 alternatives.
- Report any side effects. If you had a reaction after using either product, report it through the Medicine Surveillance System mentioned in the alert, or tell your doctor, who can report it for you.
Why substandard matters
A substandard medicine is a registered product that fails its quality tests. It may contain too little of the active ingredient, dissolve poorly or, for an injection, fail sterility or clarity standards. The result can be a treatment that does not work, or one that causes harm.
This alert is number 132 of 2026 and covers the whole province, from Lahore and Faisalabad to Rawalpindi and Multan. Pharmacies are required to act on it, but stock can linger on shelves and in medicine cabinets at home. A quick look at the batch number is the simplest protection.
More health news is on our health page, and practical how-tos are in our health guides.
Frequently asked questions
- Which medicines did Punjab recall on 16 September 2026?
- Mecodax (mecobalamin) injection, batch 176, expiry August 2027, and cetirizine dihydrochloride 10mg film-coated tablets, batch BCT-005, expiry February 2027. Both were declared substandard by the Drug Testing Laboratories Punjab under Drug Safety Alert No. 132/2026.
- What should I do if my medicine is from a recalled batch?
- Stop using it, return it to the pharmacy, ask your doctor or pharmacist for a replacement from another batch or brand, and report any side effects.
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