ISLAMABAD: Due to rise in HIV cases, the chairperson of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), Professor Dr. Muhammad Khalid Shafi, has urged the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to immediately review its ban on 10cc syringes, warning that the restriction could jeopardize the treatment of newborns and children.
In an urgent letter addressed to the chief executive officer of DRAP, Dr. Shafi said the blanket ban on 10cc syringes poses serious risks to pediatric and neonatal care.
He stressed that 10cc syringes are essential for administering precise doses of medicines to infants and that there is currently no practical alternative for their use in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and pediatric wards.
The letter warned that the restriction could also disrupt nutritional support for newborns, as needle-free 10cc syringes are routinely used to administer liquid medications and feed infants in clinical settings.
Dr. Shafi called for evidence-based and targeted regulatory measures instead of a complete prohibition. He recommended granting a specific exemption for the medical use of 10cc syringes in pediatric and neonatal care while maintaining efforts to curb their misuse.
He also proposed the formation of an expert consultative committee to help devise balanced regulatory measures, emphasizing that infection control initiatives should not compromise access to essential medical treatment.
While underscoring the importance of preventing HIV transmission, Dr. Shafi said public health interventions must not create barriers to lifesaving care for newborns and children.
He urged DRAP to ensure the continued availability of 10cc syringes for pediatric and neonatal patients and called for immediate consultations to review the scope of the ban.
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