Home ›› 14 Mar 2022 ›› Governance
The Directorate General of Drug Administration has directed all of its divisional and district officials to collect samples of Napa syrup with batch number-32113121.
The directive was issued following the deaths of two children on Thursday night in Ashuganj of Brahmanbaria.
According to a notification signed by DGDA Director General Major General Mohammad Yousuf, the drug regulatory authority asked all its offices at divisional and district levels to collect samples of syrup and to send the report to the National Control Laboratory after performing tests, reports BSS.
At the same time, the notification also said that Napa syrup with batch number-32113121 has been banned for selling.
“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 notification said,
Meanwhile, a six-member committee of DGDA on Sunday started investigating the incidents of two children’s death after taking Napa syrup in Brahmanbaria, reports UNB.
“The sample of the syrup has been sent to a Dhaka lab for testing. Also samples of the syrups of the same batch have been collected and sent for testing “, said Dr Akib Hossain, head of the probe committee and director of DGDA.
The committee members interviewed the family members of the deceased siblings around 12pm at Durgapur of Ashuganj.
The committee recorded testimonies of the children’s mother Lima Begum, uncle Ujjal Mia, grandmother Lilufa Begum.
Dr Akib said, the family members of those children said they fell sick immediately after consuming the syrup.
“The reaction started within 10 to 15 minutes of taking the syrup. It may take time to identify the suspicious element in the syrup, “ said the DGDA director.
Other members of the committee-two deputy directors, two assistant directors and an inspector of DGDA accompanied Dr Akib during the investigation.
On Thursday night, two siblings named Yasin Khan,7, and Morsalin Khan,5, son of Ismail Khan, a brick kiln worker, died after given Napa syrup at their home for high fever.
It was bought from a local ‘Ma Pharmacy’ owned by Main Uddin and the syrup had an expiry date mentioned till 2023.
The children were discharged after being given primary medications at District Sadar Hospital. Yasin died on the way home, and Morsalin after reaching home, the family said.
Health Minister vows legal action
Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Sunday said legal actions will be taken if anyone is found guilty in the death of two children reportedly after taking Napa syrup in Ashuganj of Brahmanbaria.
The minister said this in an international convention and scientific seminar arranged by Bangladesh Society of medicine at the city’s Bangbandhu International Convention Center.
“Already we have formed a committee to probe the incident. The Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) and Health Service Department have also taken the necessary steps in this regard,” said Zahid.
On Thursday night, two siblings named Yasin Khan,7, and Morsalin Khan,5, died after taking Napa syrup at their home in Durgapur union in Ashuganj upazila of Brahmanbaria.
The parents of the children gave them the syrup as they were suffering from high fever. It was bought from a local ‘Ma Pharmacy’ owned by Main Uddin and the syrup had an expiry date mentioned till 2023. The children were discharged after given primary medications at District Sadar Hospital. Yasin died on way home, and Morsalin after reaching home, the family said.
