Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said that the authorities concerned are carrying out investigation to unearth the mystery behind the death of two siblings in Brahmanbaria who had been given Napa syrup due to fever.
“The Brahmanbaria civil surgeon and other officials are investigating the matter. A probe committee has also been formed,” he told reporters He made the remarks at a meeting organized by the Bangladesh Society of Medicine on Sunday.
The pharmacy was temporarily closed following the death of the children. “All the syrups have been collected from the store, and we are waiting for the report. If proven guilty, action will be taken against those involved,” he said.
The minister, however, made no comments on whether batch No 32113121 of the syrup would be removed from the market.
Earlier in the day, the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) ordered the inspection of the batch.
In an office letter, the drug regulator directed all divisional and district officials concerned to inspect pharmacies across the country to test the mentioned batch and submit reports to the National Control Laboratory for further action.
Family of the victims bought the syrup, manufactured by Beximco Pharmaceuticals, from a pharmacy in Brahmanbaria’s Ashuganj Upazila.
On Thursday, Yasin Khan, 7, and Morsalin Khan, 4, sons of Sujon Khan, were given Napa syrup as they had fever.
Family members claimed that both the children had fallen ill after consuming the medicine and had been taken to Brahmanbaria District Hospital.
After providing primary care, the hospital authorities discharged them. But Yasin died on the way home, while Morsalin died after reaching home.
On Friday, Brahmanbaria Pharmacy Owners Association announced that they would not sell Napa syrup.
The Rid Pharma case
Earlier in 2016, all five officials of Rid Pharmaceuticals Ltd were acquitted from the charges of manufacturing a toxic paracetamol syrup that killed 28 children across Bangladesh in 2009.
Dhaka Drug Court Judge M Atoar Rahman issued the order on November 28, 2016.
In the verdict, the judge said that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges due to the inability and inefficiency of the case investigation officer.
The children died from renal failure during the period of June-August in 2009 after consuming the syrup manufactured by Rid Pharma.
A case was filed the same year by then drug superintendent Shafiqul Islam with Dhaka Drug Court. Four more cases were filed in Brahmanbaria, Comilla, Narayanganj and Sylhet.