Cough syrup deaths: ‘Even drug addicts have a right to life’

Lahore High Court summons health secretary for today.

LAHORE:

Justice Sheikh Najamul Hassan of the Lahore High Court on Monday issued notices to the health secretary on two applications seeking ban on the sale of Tyno cough syrup, which is suspected of having caused the death of at least 17 people.

The judge directed the secretary to appear on Tuesday (today) to inform the court about the measures taken for the safety of the patients.

The applications were moved in an already pending petition that seeks a judicial inquiry into the deaths and registration of cases against all those responsible.

Judicial Activism Panel chairman Muhammad Azhar Siddique and Traders Welfare Organisation of Tollinton Market Lahore president Muhammad Tariq Javed moved these applications after 33 people died in Gujranwala and Kamoke after consuming another cough syrup. The two syrups have the same active ingredient, dextromethorphan.

Siddique said that it was being investigated whether the people affected by the syrup had overdosed on it or whether there was a problem with the medicine.
Even if the victims were drug addicts, said Siddique, Article 9 of the constitution guaranteed them the right to life.

‘Suspect’ syrup confiscated

The health department claimed on Monday to have seized 13,418 bottles of dextromethorphan syrup from medical stores across the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2013.