CM directs to seize syrup after death of dozens of people

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif while expressing deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives due to syrup, has ordered that all the stock of imported raw material being used for the preparation of syrup and the manufactured syrup should immediately be seized and action be taken as per law against the responsible persons. The Chief Minister directed to immediately send the samples of seized syrup for test abroad and said that further action will be taken after the report of the renowned lab of UK.

The Chief Minister issued these directions while presiding over a high level meeting at Model Town today in which the causes of deaths due to cough syrup in Gujranwala and Lahore were reviewed in detail. Special Assistant on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, Member Provincial Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police, Secretary Health, DG Forensic Lab and Health, Commissioner Gujranwala Division, Additional IG Special Branch and officers concerned attended the meeting. Chairman Chief Minister’s Inspection Team presented a report regarding deaths in Lahore.

Addressing the meeting, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that the samples of syrup obtained from the patients are immediately being sent abroad for analysis so that real facts could be surfaced and the responsible be determined. The Chief Minister directed the Chief Secretary that all the stock of the imported raw material being used for the preparation of syrup and the manufactured syrup should immediately be confiscated and he should personally monitor the lifting of the stock of imported raw material and syrup. He said that calamities are but natural however, adopting preventive measures for the eradication of such incidents is our responsibility. He said that an effective mechanism of checking of raw material and medicines is essential. He said that the Health Department will have to play its effective role for checking of such tragic incidents in future. He said that there should be an effective system of check and balance from the process of preparation of medicines to their distribution.