Drug adulteration verdict July 17
A Dhaka court has fixed July 17 for delivering judgement in a case filed for the death of 76 children from adulterated drugs 22 years ago.
Judge Abdur Rashid of the Drug Court in Dhaka today set the date after prosecution had completed arguments on the case.
At today's hearing, the prosecution sought the highest punishment for the accused.
Defence lawyers on July 3 concluded their arguments over the legal points of the case.
Two of the five accused Adflame officials -- Director Dr Helena Pasha and Manager Mizanur Rahman -- are on bail while the remaining three went into hiding since a case was filed against the company in 1992.
Until 1991, complaints were filed with the government relating to the death of as many as 76 children from acute renal failure after taking “Flammodol”, paracetamol syrup produced by Adflame. The medicine was tested positive for deadly industrial chemical diethylene glycol.
There were three other brands found to have contained the same chemical, causing renal failure of children. The manufacturers were Polychem Laboratories Ltd, BCI (Bangladesh) Ltd and Rex Pharmaceutical.
The Directorate of Drug Administration filed four cases against the pharmaceuticals following a national outcry. In 1994, the owners of the pharmaceuticals managed to have a stay order issued on the proceedings of the cases. Trial of all the cases remained suspended for 13 years following the orders.
Comments