Addiction and the over-dose are the cause of the deaths and not the cough syrup that is being blamed for the causalities therefore the government should immediately stop harassment of the owners and the distributors.
Addressing a Press conference here Wednesday at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar and Pharma Industry leaders including Khawaja Shahzeb Akram, Mian Misbahur Rehman, Amjad Ali Jawa, Mohammad Zakaur Rehman, Asad Shujaur Rehman and Nadeem Shami said that 16000 bottles of the same batch were supplied across the country while the incident took place in one locality only that is known as a hub of drug addicts. LCCI Senior Vice
President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh and Vice President Mian Abuzar Shad also spoke on the occasion.
The LCCI President said that the law-enforcement agencies were well aware of the presence of a large number of drug addicts in that area and they should have taken some action against them well ahead of this incident.
Farooq Iftikhar also appealed to the Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif to direct concerned officers to stop action against the businessmen as it has caused much resentment among them because a haphazard action had already sent a wrong signal to the pharma industry.
Khawaja Shahzeb Akram said that Reko Pharmacal has been manufacturing the said cough syrup since 1978 and not a single such complaint of this nature came to the limelight previously as in this case the individuals who consumed Tyno did so with the purpose of intoxication.
The misuse of any drug can cause serious consequences, which a company cannot be held liable for.
Explaining about the ingredients of the said syrup, Khawaja Shahzeb Akram said that Dextromethorphan is a widely used active ingredient in cough syrups worldwide. It is a safe antitussive/cough suppressant and its safe dosage is 5 ml (10 mg) every 5 to 6 hours, (the dose in Tyno-SF) and the maximum dosage should not exceed 20 ml in 24 hours as per instructions on the label. It is a safe and effective cough suppressant if used as prescribed, there are over ten formulation of this product in the US alone, with some containing 15mg per 5ml. There are at least 7 registered dextromethorphan containing products in Pakistan also.
Many of the cough syrups contain addicting substance like codeine which are narcotics.since most drugs can bought across the counter there is always the risk of over dosage and death.
PHARMA COZ are known to misbehave for profits before patients even in usa uk stc stc ..report in washington post this week how pharmas corrupt even usa big doctors professors with fake research grants ==bribes ..
patients need good life saving medicines –sure.. ALSO HEALTH PROMOTION PUBLIC HEALTH VERY IMPORTANT BY GOVTS ON WAR FOOTING TO REDUCE ILLNESSES RATES .. MAY BE TALIBAN TPP CAN BECOME GOOD MUSLIMS BY HELPING PATIENTS ..
people use intoxicants to beat frustration and tiredness of the day long hard work they do. Alcohol was banned in pakistan in 1977 by Z.A.Bhutto as a last resort to save his rule. Before that for the past thirty years (1947 – 77), it was not banned but available freely in shops.After banning in 1977, it apparently remained banned till today, but available everywhere at exorbitant prices to the poor working class people. certain elements make hay out of this so called ban. Alcohol is prohibited in Islam, but the defaulter is answerable to God . Praying is the basic and foremost pillar of islam but , just as an hunch idea, hardly 20% muslims of Pakistan comply with this basic pillar. But no legislative is made so far from the law enforement agencies. There is therefore food for thought for those who matter in this phenomena.
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