LAHORE: The unofficial death toll due to the Pakistan Institute of Cardiology (PIC) fake medicine reached 112 on Sunday as three more people lost their lives, reported Express News.
Both the deaths took place in Lahore.
The official death toll remains 89, but Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, talking to the media, had confirmed more than a 100 deaths.
The medicine triggered an unknown disease that is said to get deposited in the bone marrow and ultimately ends the body’s resistance. The generation of white blood cells stops in the body and a severe chest infection also takes place.
The symptoms of the disease include a change in complexion, low platelet count, vomiting blood and a severe chest infection.
The Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) has formed an investigation team which is probing the matter and has arrested the people allegedly involved in the distribution of the medicine.
The FIA, on Sunday, arrested MS PIC Dr Saleem Jaffar who was suspended on Friday, while the Young Doctors Association announced of staging a protest by closing down outdoor wards all across the province.
COMMENTS (19)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
the HEALTH MINISTER and is directly responsible for this
it is soo sad to see how innocent people are dying, just because of these people my father in law is also fighting for his life in Lahore, please lets pray for all the victoms..
@A. Khan: if you have any proof that this was a illegal clinical trial then present the facts otherwise keep the conspiracy theories to yourself.
Calling this fake medicine is misleading. This was an illegal clinical drug trial gone terribly wrong. What is needed is to identify which drug company, possibly a multinational, was behind it. Its common for big drug companies to trial drugs in countries with lax oversight or weak judicial system, so no one can sue them.
Company should be named and shamed and made to pay heavy restitution. But given this is Pakistan, I do not anticipate anything to come out of the investigation committees report, apart from them gorging on chai and samosas.
Fake and expired medicines' situation had also arisen in Karachi in recent years. There was however a muk muka through a political party and nothing happened. In Lahore at least things are transparent.
It is big tragic event and one must sympathise with innocent victims. Allah may rest the departed souls in peace. Amin. On this topic one live program was aired by Dunya TV on 29th of January-2012 direct from Mayo Hospital locations. Asma Chaudhry was the presenter. It started with good note but later as it happens with most of such programs no one could make out who is saying what and what is being said. Arrest of some senior medical officers or suspension of senior doctors in this case seems unjustified. Mainly it is the health department which is responsible for provision of medicines. Calling for tender, provision of medicines and then payment of medicines after having been ensured that correct items have been received is the responsibility of health department. Dr are there to prescribe the medicines, Issue of medicines is controlled by dispensaries. Procurement of medicines has a separate system and if below standard medicines have been procured than it is the failure of procurement system. Those responsible to make inquiries should pay attention to it. Additionally allegation that such an important department is without Minister and Punjab is main hurdle in formulation of Federal Drug Regulatory Authorities are serious accusations and need to be addressed urgently.
As long as these people are killed by the greed and aggression of Muslims we are not outraged like the killing of 2 dozen soldiers by the Americans. There is no Dharna or hate speeches when hundreds are put to death by the greed and corruption of rightwing party.
@Mujahid Shah: Sastri Roti Scam, Inter-Matric results scandal, Daanish School Corruption, Yellow cab scam (12 B Rs), ZERO development, Increased Crime rate, Please enlighten us if these are also conspiracies against the Good Governance of emotional, incompetent and Stubborn Chief Minister Shahbaz Shareef????? Ch Pervaiz Elahi we really miss u now
CM Punjab should straight forward tender his resignation. Lets not forget the also the HEALTH MINISTER and is directly responsible for this
Why the CJ is not taking sue moto action? Why this favor to Sharif Brothers? Who approved the Tender? Who tested the Drugs? Is any body responsible?
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui Even if legal heirs file a petition in Supreme Court regarding Punjab govt , I doubt much can be achieved. (1) The cost of fighting such cases is extremely high (2) Courts are already too busy in 'important' matters like who wrote memo , which pen was used , why they did not use a pencil etc etc and some less important issues like why Mcdonald was opened in Islamabad park , who let the dogs out etc etc ... the murder in cold blood of 112 people is quite low on priority list . (3) In case you followed the news lately , our CJ has very soft corner towards a specific party run by biggest business barons of Pakistan. In short , you can not afford to fight against these barons in their own courts.
Cm is directly responsible for this sad incident, but the most sad part is that instead of resigning from his post he is making Doctor's scapegoat
Who is responsible? Why on earth Supreme court is not taking suo moto action here?
Just another conspiracy to kill Humanity!!!!
The Big question is . . . .why has all Hell broken loose in Pakistan?? Very very Bad Governance from all angles with Humanity suffering in every aspect of life!! How could the government let this happen? Just another conspiracy to kill humanity!!!
This is the height of the irresponsibility of the Punjab Government.
Had such a case occurred in a foreign country, responsible people would have resigned by now.
Unfortunately, there is no accountability in Pakistan. The legal heirs of all the deceased should jointly or individually file suit(s) against the Chief Minister and Health Minister of Punbaj government and claim for compensation.
Unless such drastic actions would not take place, irresponsibility of the people won't stop.
SO sad :(. CM unless u tender ur resignation to the speaker the inquiry commission will be unable to find the original culprits