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Pakistan medicine: 'Faulty batch kills 70' in Lahore Pakistan heart drugs: 'Faulty batch kills 70' in Lahore
(about 2 hours later)
At least 70 people are believed to have died in the Pakistani city of Lahore over the last three weeks because of faulty drugs, officials say.At least 70 people are believed to have died in the Pakistani city of Lahore over the last three weeks because of faulty drugs, officials say.
They said that at least 400 others are being treated for similar symptoms.They said that at least 400 others are being treated for similar symptoms.
The number of dead is a big rise from Tuesday, when officials said about 36 people with cardiovascular problems had died over a period of 21 days. The number of dead has soared since Tuesday, when officials said about 36 people with cardiovascular problems had died since the start of the month.
The deaths have caused panic in the city less than three months after a dengue fever epidemic.The deaths have caused panic in the city less than three months after a dengue fever epidemic.
Officials have warned that the batch of contaminated drugs might have been distributed to nearly 40,000 people since 15 December.Officials have warned that the batch of contaminated drugs might have been distributed to nearly 40,000 people since 15 December.
They say that patients affected by the sub-standard drugs suffer a rapid depletion of white cells and blood platelets.They say that patients affected by the sub-standard drugs suffer a rapid depletion of white cells and blood platelets.
They say that the symptoms - first noticed in late December - created an impression that it was a form of dengue fever - a mosquito-borne disease common in Pakistan during the monsoon season. The symptoms - first noticed in late December - created an impression that it was a form of dengue fever - a mosquito-borne disease common in Pakistan during the monsoon season, officials say.
But patient data soon revealed that all of those affected were heart patients who had been using free cardiovascular drugs from the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (Pic). But patient data soon revealed that all of those affected were heart patients who had been using free cardiovascular drugs from the government-run Punjab Institute of Cardiology.
Publicity campaignPublicity campaign
Officials told BBC that the deaths appear to have been caused by a batch of drugs issued on 15 December. Officials told the BBC that the deaths appear to have been caused by a batch of drugs issued on 15 December.
They say one or more of at least five drugs - all manufactured by little known local firms and purchased by the Pic for heart patients - may be responsible. They say one or more of at least five drugs - all manufactured by little known local firms and purchased by the institute for heart patients - may be responsible.
Punjab provincial health department head Saeed Illahi told the AP news agency that a total of 419 heart patients were ill from taking the drugs, and that 45 of them remain in a critical condition. Most of the patients are in Lahore.Punjab provincial health department head Saeed Illahi told the AP news agency that a total of 419 heart patients were ill from taking the drugs, and that 45 of them remain in a critical condition. Most of the patients are in Lahore.
The drugs have been sent for lab tests abroad to determine which of them caused the reaction.The drugs have been sent for lab tests abroad to determine which of them caused the reaction.
Officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) told a court in Lahore on Wednesday that the drugs did not carry dates of manufacture and expiry.Officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) told a court in Lahore on Wednesday that the drugs did not carry dates of manufacture and expiry.
The court has remanded three individuals who own three pharmaceutical firms which supplied the drugs to the Pic. The court has remanded in custody three people who own pharmaceutical firms which supplied the drugs to the Institute of Cardiology.
None of the three firms has commented on the allegations.None of the three firms has commented on the allegations.
The Pic provides free heart drugs to about 600,000 heart patients annually. The institute provides free heart drugs to about 600,000 heart patients annually.
The government has now launched a publicity campaign to tell potential users not to use the faulty batch of drugs. The government has now launched a publicity campaign warning people not to use the faulty batch of drugs.
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says the Pakistani pharmaceuticals market is intensely competitive, with local companies competing with multinationals for hospital contracts.The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says the Pakistani pharmaceuticals market is intensely competitive, with local companies competing with multinationals for hospital contracts.
This is thought to be the first time that drugs provided by Pakistani companies are alleged to have been below standard, our correspondent adds.This is thought to be the first time that drugs provided by Pakistani companies are alleged to have been below standard, our correspondent adds.
Hospital sources have told the BBC that if they do not buy medicines from the cheapest supplier they can be taken to court by drug companies.