Raipur: A preliminary report of an inquiry committee probing botched sterilizations in Chhattisgarh has revealed medicines given to the victims were contaminated with zinc phosphide, a rodent killing chemical. This could have led to death of 13 women.
Bilaspur divisional commissioner Sonmani Borah said traces of zinc phosphide were found in Ciprocin 500mg tablets, manufactured by Mahavar Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd. These tablets were distributed among women, who underwent sterilizations at three camps in Bilaspur district.
An analysis of the antibiotic tablet Ciprofloxacin 500 revealed the medicine was adulterated with zinc phosphide, a chemical used in rat poison. The drug had been seized from Raipur-based pharmaceutical company Mahawar Pharma on Thursday and has been sent for further tests.
The symptoms shown by the women who became unwell after undergoing botched sterilizations is similar to how the body reacts to zinc phosphide, doctors in Bilaspur said. After the surgery, the women had complained of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The 13 died of cardiac arrest, kidney failure and respiratory breakdown. “Such a chemical results in high mortality,” health officials stated.
“We have conducted raids across the state and seized over 43 lakh similar tablets prepared by Mahawar Pharma,” Bilaspur commissioner Sonmoni Borah said. Mahawar Pharma director Ramesh Mahawar and his son Sumit were arrested by Raipur police on Friday.
Bureau Report
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