Investigating the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) medical catastrophe which caused the death of 119 heart patients, Central Drug Laboratory (CDL) late on Monday declared that the Alfagril/Clopidogrel medicine administered over the counter by PIC was expired.
Moreover, CDL declared that six other drugs were fit for administration.
Talking to media, CDL official Dr Obaid said the results of tests on six drugs had been received while they await results from tests on other drugs. He said that the ultimate responsibility will be pinned after all test results are received.
Meanwhile, Punjab Police changed the team of police investigators probing the PIC medicines case.
According to the new assignment, DIG Zulfiqar Cheema will lead the investigation assisted by DIG Farooq Mazhar and SSP Zulfiqar Hameed. Sources said Punjab government authorities took the decision earlier on Monday and investigations were formally handed over to aforesaid investigators later in the day.
Former investigator DIG Major Mubasharullah and his team briefed the new enquiry team in the evening and handed over gathered material. IGP office Director Public Relations Nabeela Ghazanfar told Pakistan Today that Inspector General of Police Punjab had not changed the team of investigators but had constituted a board under the supervision of DIG Zuliqar Ali Cheema. She said that DIG Major Mubasharullah will continue to cooperate with the board. DIG Major Mubasharullah told Pakistan Today that the PIC investigations needed extra time and were handed over to the new team. He said the investigations required detailed analysis of post mortem reports, records, Drug Testing Laboratory reports, etc. He said that investigators already working on this case will continue to support the new team.
Well placed sources said that investigators had yet to ascertain which medicine had caused the fatal reactions.
