Pakistan is second highest in snake bite cases in the world after India
Sindh is having more than 50% of total Pak cases
Annually 25000 to 30000 cases occurs in Sindh with death toll more than 1000.
The annual requirement of ASV for Sindh is 40000 to 60000 vials.
The National demand for ASV is 125000 to 150000 vials/ year
NIH is the only ASV producer, having limited capacity of not more than 25000 vials/ year.
The other sources of ASV are:
Indian imported 30000 to 40000 vials/ year
Smuggled from India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and some western countries 25000 to 30000 vials/ year.
The outside ASV except from India is of no use as manufactured from the venom of snakes not found in Pakistan.
The efficacy of Indian ASV is not yet tested, however hospital sources confirm it less effective because manufactured from venom of snakes found 4500 K.ms away from Pak (Tamil Nadu).
Being the worst sufferer of ASV Shortage Sindh Needs to Establish it’s own manufacturing Lab.