The judge was hearing a petition filed by Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique seeking formation of a judicial commission to investigate the deaths of Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) patients due to the use of adulterated medicines.
During today’s hearing, Additional Inspector General (AIG) Zulfiqar Hameed appeared before the court and submitted that investigations into the matter revealed irregularities in medicine purchases made by the PIC.
Hameed said instead of purchasing quality medicines, PIC had purchased medicines of low quality at cheap rates.
“A tablet which is available in market for Rs20 was purchased by the PIC for just Rs0.75,” Hameed added.
The AIG also informed the court that the medicines of lower quality were manufactured by two factories including Efroze Chemical Company, Karachi. However, he added, none of the owners could be arrested since they have obtained protective bails from the Sindh High Court.
Hameed also stated that the PIC record showed that the medicines purchased by the institute were never re-checked by drug test laboratory.
The judge ordered the investigation team to inform the court about those responsible for the sale of the inferior drugs by February 22, the next date of hearing.
Following the court directions, Punjab Health Secretary Arif Nadeem submitted a detailed report regarding the present situation of the patients affected by the spurious drugs.
Nadeem said from December 23, 2011 to February 11, 2012, a total of 929 patients were affected by the adulterated medicines. These patients were then admitted to different hospitals across the Punjab. Out of this, 707 patients were discharged after recovery, while 103 patients are still under treatment, the Health Secretary stated.
According to the Punjab Health Secretary report, 120 patients had died. Nadeem added that 70 patients died in Lahore alone.
The judge also enquired about the payment of compensation money worth of Rs500,000 each to the bereaved families by the Punjab government, to which Additional Advocate General gave assurance to the court that payments would be made by the next date of hearing.
On the other hand, the inquiry tribunal of the Lahore High Court headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan on Monday summoned former secretary health and former chief executive of PIC to appear before the tribunal on February 14.
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Can PIC be asked to pay these patients
Why no one is talking about the corrupt husband/wife at the CDL karachi who even pressure from FIA and Punjab police was delaying issuance of the report. Obaid of CDL is known for being corrupt by pressurizing companies to pay.His secret apartment at Defence Karachi is where he meets his students. He is known to take exotic trips to america and europe and forces companies to pay for it in cash. Dr. Obaid is hand in hand with Efroze management. His two lives, one at tariq road and his apartment at DHA which he uses for meeting his girl students and female staff from companies is exotically furnished and paid for by companies who he has pressurized over the years. The Judicial commission should also have him checked specially his international trips.