Bangladesh orders tests on Napa syrup batch after child deaths

The Directorate General of Drug Administration has ordered the inspection of wholesale and retail stores across the country to collect samples of a specific batch of Napa brand of paracetamol syrup for testing, following two deaths linked to the medicine.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 13 March 2022, 09:39 AM
Updated : 13 March 2022, 04:23 PM

The government has formed a committee to investigate the incident and action will be taken under the law if someone is found responsible, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said on Sunday.    

The DGDA issued the order on Saturday, asking the administration to test the medicine and submit its report to the National Control Laboratory.

“According to media reports, two children of a family died after consuming paracetamol syrup 120mg/5ml made by Beximco Pharmaceutical [batch No. 32113121, date of production 12/2021 and date of expiry 11/2023],” the order said.

“Under the circumstances, all divisional and district officers are ordered to inspect wholesale and retail pharmacies, do sample tests and submit the reports to the National Control Laboratory.”

Facing a barrage of questions from reporters after an event in Dhaka, Maleque said the ministry was waiting for a report from the investigation committee while the shop from where the medicine was sold has been closed for now.

He did not specify whether the batch of Napa would be recalled.

“The Directorate General of Drug Administration is doing whatever is necessary. Our Health Services Division is also working on the matter. Steps will be taken and you’ll see that.”

On Thursday, two brothers Yasin Khan, 7 and Morsalin Khan, 5 reportedly died after consuming 'paracetamol syrup' to lower their fever in Durgapur Village in Brahmanbaria's Ashuganj. The siblings were the sons of labourer Sujon Khan.

Their mother Lima Begum said Morsalin caught a fever two days before his death, while Yasin had been suffering from a high temperature for even longer.

On Thursday, they bought a bottle of paracetamol syrup from a nearby pharmacy and gave it to the boys. Both the boys began to vomit after ingesting it.

The two were initially taken to Ashuganj Upazila Health Complex before being transferred to the district's central hospital, according to Lima.

Yasin died around 9 pm on the way home from the hospital, while Morsalin breathed his last at 10.30 pm upon reaching home, she said.

Police filed a general diary over the incident. Ashuganj Civil Surgeon Dr Muhammad Ekram Ullah visited the family on Friday and two probe committees have been formed to investigate the matter. Their reports are expected within three days.

“Regional offices of the DGDA are collecting samples of that specific batch of Napa syrup. But we’re yet to decide whether to stop the sale of the batch,” said DGDA Director Md Ayub Hossain.

When asked about the consequences if someone ingests that batch of Napa syrup available in the market, the director said people are aware of the incident as it has been already reported in the media. “The sellers are also alarmed. Therefore, the sale of that medicine will automatically halt,” he said.

bdnews24.com tried to contact Beximco Pharmaceuticals Chief Operating Officer Rabbur Reza for comment on the issue, but he did not respond to phone calls or SMS.

NEGLIGENCE ALLEGED

Lima Begum, the mother of the dead brothers, alleged medical negligence at Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital.

“The doctor said they were in good physical condition without checking them, and asked to give them more water and sour food,” she said.

One of the children died on the way home and the other after they reached home.

“My two sons would not have died had they received proper treatment at the Sadar Hospital,” Lima said.

Evidence backed her claims. The two boys’ names were not found on the register of the hospital’s emergency department.

The supervisor of the hospital, Md Wahiduzzaman said the family bought two tickets for their treatment and that their names were listed on the main register, but not the emergency department register.

“It means the patients had no communication with the doctor. The doctor could not provide them with treatment. It's possible that the patients left fearing stomach wash or there was negligence of duty on the part of the doctor and others,” he said.

The mother said the doctor refused to wash the boys’ stomachs although the mother suggested it.

The hospital formed a three-member committee, headed by a paediatrician, to investigate the incident.

The members of a six-strong investigation team formed by the DGDA visited the children’s village on Sunday morning and spoke to the family.

Police filed a general diary over the deaths. The district’s Civil Surgeon Dr Muhammad Ekram Ullah also visited the village on Friday and ordered investigations.

CALL TO STOP SELLING NAPA FROM THE BATCH

Bangladesh Chemists and Druggists Society has asked its members not to sell Napa from the batch.

Its President Dwin Alih said they did not issue a formal order as the authorities were yet to give instructions. But the society appealed to the members “verbally” to stop selling drugs of the batch, he said.

The society’s Brahmanbaria unit General Secretary Md Abu Kausar said they also relayed the request verbally to the members in the district. “We can’t cause harm to children. People can buy alternatives to Napa.”

He claimed an order with his name and signature that was circulated on social media was "fake".

After talking to the family, the head of the DGDA investigation committee Dr Akib Hossain said it would take time to find out what had really happened.

The children’s condition deteriorated 10 to 15 minutes after consuming the drug, he said.