Karachi is grappling with a severe shortage of tetanus injections, causing significant difficulties for injured individuals. Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association (PCDA) Senior Vice Chairman Abdul Samad Badhani reported on Monday that some pharmacists are exploiting the situation by selling anti-tetanus injections at exorbitant prices.
Badhani stated that profiteers are charging nearly ten times the actual price for the anti-tetanus injections amidst this shortage. This crisis has persisted for about a month and a half, leaving pharmacies and medical stores in Karachi and other cities like Lahore without stock.
Accident victims are particularly affected, as the vital anti-tetanus injection, necessary to prevent wound infections, is unavailable in private clinics and hospitals. Medical experts emphasize the importance of administering the injection within 72 hours of an injury to prevent bacterial infection.
“Patients are facing problems due to the injection’s shortage,” Badhani noted, explaining that the scarcity is due to the non-availability of raw materials in the global market. He highlighted that some chemists are selling the Rs50-55 injection of five milliliters at prices up to ten times higher.
However, Badhani reassured that the manufacturing issue has been resolved according to drug manufacturing companies, and the tetanus injections will soon be available in the market.
