Pakistan 16 fatalities from cough syrup

Toxic cough syrup calls for 16 deaths in Pakistan

26/11/2012

Toxic cough syrup is being reported in connection with 16 deaths in Pakistan. Three pharmacies and the manufacturing company were closed by the Pakistani authorities. "Most fatalities are drug addicts who seem to have taken high dosages of cough syrup to get intoxicated," says local police chief Atif Zulfiqar.

„At least 16 people, mostly drug addicts, have died after taking the toxic syrup“, Zulfiqar told the news agency „AFP“. Originally there were only 13 fatalities, but the numbers have to be corrected upwards in the course of further announcements at the weekend. All cough syrup poisoning affected the city of Lahore in eastern Pakistan on the border with India. In January, around 100 cardiac patients had already died after taking locally manufactured, defective medications. Thus, the ruthless traders on the drug market in Pakistan appear to be more likely to risk the death of patients for their profit.

Due to the recent deaths from taking the poisonous cough syrup, three pharmacies have been shut down and their owners arrested, said health adviser for Punjab province, Salman Khawaja Rafiq. The cough syrup was confiscated and samples sent to the laboratory for examination. The manufacturing drug factory was also temporarily closed. The Chief Minister of Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, has ordered an investigation and is due to submit a report within 72 hours, Rafiq said. Doctor Tahir Khalil from the Mayo Clinic in Lahore reports that there were 20 patients between the ages of 15 and 45 who needed medical care after drinking the cough syrup at his hospital. Most were drug addicts. The last victim, who was already in a critical condition, died today. Thus, the number of deaths in the hospital has increased to seven. In total, six of the victims were rescued, seven more are still in hospital because of their critical condition, so the statement of the doctor. (Fp)

Image: Benjamin Klack