The death toll from alleged reaction of medicines has risen to 14 as seven more people reportedly lost their lives, here on Saturday. The deaths were reported at local hospitals but doctors said that investigations were under way and final view would be given in the light of inquiry report. These deaths had scared the patients suffering from heart diseases and they were consulting doctors.
Parliamentary Secretary, Health Dr Saeed Elahi said that investigations into the reaction of medicines were under way. If any pharmaceutical company whose medicines efficacy, were challenged, they would deal with it, he added. He said that the supply of medicines of those drug companies whose medicines of cholesterol control were challenged now have been stopped and these medicines from market had also been restricted for sale till finalisation of the inquiry.
Secretary Health Punjab Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan has constituted a committee to probe into the alleged reaction of medicines and tragic incidents of deaths due to its reaction. Professor Javed Akram said that Centralised Data Collection Centre has been established to compile data of such patients from all the hospitals of Lahore. He further informed that a helpline No 042-99200688 for the convenience of patients has been setup. Professor Akram further said that alternate arrangements were being made for the provision of medicines to the PIC patients.