ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has ordered a sweeping phase-out of conventional disposable syringes by January 1, 2027. This urgent directive aims to halt the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne infections driven by unsafe medical practices and syringe reuse.
The decision follows extensive investigations by a federal health task force into recent pediatric HIV outbreaks in Larkana, Khairpur, and Karachi. Epidemiological evidence heavily linked these outbreaks to the reuse of contaminated syringes and weak infection control protocols in healthcare facilities.
Under the new policy, conventional 1cc non-insulin disposable syringes will be entirely banned from production and sale. Moving forward, the medical market will transition exclusively to safety-engineered, auto-disable, or retractable reuse-prevention technologies.
Additionally, retail and open-market sales of conventional 10cc syringes will be prohibited. These larger syringes will be restricted strictly to secondary and tertiary hospitals for specialized clinical procedures under a tightly regulated distribution system.
To prevent black-market leaks during the transition period ending December 31, 2026, manufacturers must print the procuring hospital’s name directly onto the packaging of all 10cc syringes. DRAP will also launch an electronic portal to digitally track the supply chain from production to final utilization.