The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has decided to phase out conventional 1cc (1mL) non insulin disposable syringes and restrict the sale of 10cc (10mL) syringes to secondary and tertiary healthcare hospitals from January 1, 2027, as part of efforts to curb HIV and other blood borne infections. The decision was approved by DRAP’s Medical Devices Board after reviewing recommendations from a federal task force formed to investigate the recent rise in HIV cases linked to unsafe injection practices and the reuse of disposable syringes.

The decision was approved by DRAP’s Medical Devices Board after reviewing recommendations from a federal task force formed to investigate the recent rise in HIV cases linked to unsafe injection practices and the reuse of disposable syringes.

Under the new policy, manufacturers, importers, and suppliers have until December 31, 2026 to transition. After that date, conventional 1cc non insulin syringes can no longer be manufactured, imported, or sold. Only safety engineered syringes with reuse prevention technologies, such as auto disable, retractable, or auto lock mechanisms, will be permitted.

DRAP has also banned the retail and open market sale of conventional 10cc syringes. They will only be supplied to public and private secondary and tertiary healthcare hospitals for specialized medical procedures under a regulated distribution system.

The move follows repeated HIV outbreaks linked to unsafe injection practices, including cases reported in Larkana, Khairpur, and Karachi’s Pathan Colony, where investigators identified the reuse of disposable syringes as a major contributing factor.

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