The Pakistan government has decided to ban conventional disposable syringes nationwide as part of its efforts to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.
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According to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), the manufacture, import, and sale of conventional disposable syringes will become illegal after December 31, 2026.
From January 1, 2027, conventional 1cc and 10cc syringes will be prohibited, with only safety-engineered auto-disable (auto-lock) syringes permitted for sale across the country.
DRAP said the decision was taken on the directives of the Prime Minister to strengthen infection control measures and reduce the risk of disease transmission caused by the reuse of disposable syringes.
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Under the new policy, conventional disposable syringes will be replaced with auto-lock safety syringes, which are specifically designed to prevent reuse and improve patient safety.
The authority has issued formal notifications to syringe manufacturers and importers, while the DRAP Medical Devices Board has also approved the nationwide ban.
Conventional 10cc syringes will remain available only under restricted conditions for use in large public and private hospitals where they are required for specific medical procedures.
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To regulate their limited use, DRAP will establish a digital tracking portal. Secondary and tertiary care hospitals will be required to upload data on the use of conventional syringes to ensure regulatory oversight and traceability.
Earlier in the day, an inquiry report has concluded that the repeated reuse of syringes caused the reported HIV outbreak among children who received treatment at the Sindh government-run Kulsum Bai Valika Social Security SITE Hospital in Karachi.
An inquiry report has concluded that the repeated reuse of syringes caused the reported HIV outbreak among children who received treatment at the Sindh government-run Kulsum Bai Valika Social Security SITE Hospital in Karachi.
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According to the inquiry report obtained by local media, a 10cc syringe was allegedly used on multiple newborn children at the hospital, resulting in the spread of HIV among patients.
The report also revealed that the World Health Organization (WHO) had reported the spread of HIV at Valika Hospital in November last year, prompting growing concern over infection control practices.
Health authorities stated that 104 HIV cases, including 95 children, have so far been reported in connection with the outbreak.
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Following the emergence of the cases, a federal government team visited Valika Hospital and nearby neighbourhoods, holding meetings with hospital management and the parents of affected children. The team subsequently recommended an independent inquiry into the outbreak.
Meanwhile, the Sindh High Court’s constitutional bench has directed the Sindh government to submit a detailed report within two weeks on the HIV outbreak during proceedings on a petition seeking action over the alleged reuse of contaminated syringes.
A large number of HIV-positive children and their parents attended the court hearing, where the petitioners argued that contaminated syringes used at the hospital had infected numerous children.
