Healthy reactions: Special ward for patients suffering from PIC medicine

Team of doctors constituted to monitor ward and provide speedy treatment to patients who have suffered a reaction.

FAISALABAD:

A special ward has been established in Allied Hospital for the treatment of patients who might have used a contaminated batch of medicines provided by the Punjab Institute of Cardiology in Lahore.

A team of doctors has been constituted to monitor the ward and provide speedy treatment to patients who have suffered a reaction to the medication. Allied Hospital medical superintendent (MS) Dr Rashid Maqbool said that some medicines distributed by Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) were contaminated and special measures are being taken to deal with the situation. Dr Masood Javaid has been directed to supervise the doctors team, which includes three medical officers and three doctors, to provide quick treatment if any patient is brought to the hospital. “So far three patients have been brought to the ward with symptoms of the reaction. One died, despite our best efforts. The other two patients are now stable,” he said. “There are lots of cell phone texts spreading rumours about several tainted medicines even though only one company’s stock has been identified by medical experts. People should not believe what they hear. They should consult a doctor,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2012.