Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has decided not to take any action against Efroz Chemical Industries accused of manufacturing fake medicines that have caused death of more than 115 patients. Informed sources told Business Recorder here on Sunday that the Efroz Chemical Industries was a member of the PPMA and the association was not even considering revoking its 'membership'.
"The administration of the PPMA is considering it a 'human error' and is not ready to take any action against the accused company as according to the PPMA's point of view, Efroz Chemical Industries has been manufacturing medicines for the last 40-45 years and is a reliable medicine company", sources disclosed.
When this scribe contacted a health expert, he said while requesting anonymity that the deaths of more than 115 heart patients in Lahore was a matter of serious concern. PPMA, being a prime supervisory body, should have taken serious notice against Efroz Chemical Industries. The PPMA needed to explain the reasons for not taking action against the company that caused so many deaths, he added. The expert said, "Associations and search bodies have the mandate to check records of their member companies in case of any maladministration or serious crime. However in this specific case, it is astonishing to note that the association concerned is reluctant to take any action against the accused company".
Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has identified the medicines as substandard and fake after their due analysis from selected laboratories here and in the UK. On the other hand, the death toll in Punjab is increasing. Reportedly, 117 heart patients have died so far in PIC while around 350 are still at risk.