WITH SUBMISSION of the first investigative report based on circumstantial evidence of the death of two students of Bhedimandi Primary School after being administered vitamin A dose, all eyes are set on reports of the viscera and samples of the vitamin from the central drug laboratory.
District magistrate Ramendra Tripathi on Monday said the report received by him was based on circumstantial evidence and statements from the witnesses. He further said the report has pointed an accusing finger at the company, Nicolas Piramal India Ltd, that supplied the vitamin that claimed the lives of two and caused many to take ill. The district magistrate further said that some doctors had been named in the report for their laxity in attending the case, though it could not be termed as criminal laxity. But, he added, the doctors should have attended to the children immediately. The report, he said, stated that the doctors attended to the children 2 hours after they complained symptoms of illness.
About nine students had fallen ill after taking the vitamin dose and this was contrary to the health department’s claim that only five children had taken ill.
Tripathi said the report had been sent to various departments of the State Government, including the health and the home departments. Action would be taken only after the reports on viscera and vitamin samples were received from the respective laboratories. The viscera test is being done at the Industrial Toxicology Research Institute (ITRC), while the sample report is awaited from the Central Drug Laboratory, Kolkata.
{{/usCountry}}Tripathi said the report had been sent to various departments of the State Government, including the health and the home departments. Action would be taken only after the reports on viscera and vitamin samples were received from the respective laboratories. The viscera test is being done at the Industrial Toxicology Research Institute (ITRC), while the sample report is awaited from the Central Drug Laboratory, Kolkata.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, director of the Nicholas Piramal India Limited, Harinder Sikka claimed that medicines supplied by the company are of high standards.
“We got medicine of the batch MH 0102 checked at laboratories and found them meeting the quality standards. The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) also took samples of the same batch from us and the test results were satisfactory. In fact, it was other food items consumed by the kids should be checked, said Sikka. He said the company was not aware of the warehousing standards practiced after the delivery of medicine.