DCGI orders investigation into eye infections at PGI

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 17

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) today ordered a probe into the incident where patients, who were administered a vaccine, Avastin, developed infection at the Advanced Eye Centre in the PGI. 

A special team has been sent to investigate. 

The office of Drug Controller in Chandigarh also issued instructions to the chemists’ association in the city to immediately recall the stock of the vaccine from all retailers and wholesalers.

It is learnt that a team of the DCGI has arrived at the PGI to investigate the case and find lapses, if any, during the administration of the vaccine. 

Sources said the DCGI also sought from the PGI details of the protocol followed by the hospital in procuring, storing and administering the controversial vaccine and post-vaccination care provided to the patients.

Sources said a joint team from New Delhi and Chandigarh offices of the DCGI would being the probe on Monday. 

Drug Control Officer Jasbir Partap Singh said the team would take the sample of the vaccine from Kumar’s and Brothers, the chemist from where the vaccination was purchased by the patients. He said samples would be sent to a government laboratory in Sector 11 for verification. 

PGI Medical Superintendent Anil Kumar Gupta said the institute had lodged a complaint with the DCGI and sent a detailed report on the incident.