- 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.