Compensation payments finally for PIC deaths
**LAHORE: **Efroze Pharmaceutical, held responsible for manufacturing the contaminated drug given to patients at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, has pledged before the Supreme Court, to pay compensation to the heirs of 213 patients who died because of the tainted medicine.
While this could bring some financial relief to the families, it cannot bring their loved ones back.
While the Supreme Court’s direction on June 6 to ensure payment of compensation was appreciated in legal circles, it is not clear what steps have been taken to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
The Punjab government had previously requested a judicial inquiry into the matter. The inquiry tribunal, headed by a judge of the Lahore High Court, had recommended strict action against the company management and others involved. It had also suggested that a task force of pharmaceutical experts be set up to conduct ‘current good-manufacturing practice compliance audits’ of drug manufacturers. Companies found lacking in this regard should be suspended. The tribunal had recommended that temporary workers should not be allowed in drug manufacturing and related activities. It had recommended that suppliers and distributors should transport heat-sensitive drugs in special vehicles.
“The present system of transportation of drugs in trucks that have no temperature control, must be discontinued,” the report read. Aga Khan Hospital in Karachi should act as consultants for the establishment of a model pharmacy at the PIC. The hospital should have professional administrators with no direct responsibility for clinical work, said the tribunal. It had also suggested that the Punjab government set up a separate hierarchy and service structure for pharmacists and a separate pharmacy directorate.
The tribunal had suggested that the government invest a substantial amount of money to acquire modern equipment, hire qualified personnel and build the capacity of its “ill-equipped and under-staffed” drug-testing laboratory.
Six months later, the tribunal’s recommendations are yet to be implemented.
Promise was to punish responsibles in 30 days. Tribunal’s suggestions and recomendations will never be implemented as No sharif goes to these hospitals.
LAHORE - The Supreme Court was informed on Thursday that owners of Efroze Pharmaceutical Company, involved in Punjab Institute of Cardiology drug reaction case, were ready to pay compensation to victims’ families. The court directed them to submit this in written within in one week.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani issued this order while hearing a case pertaining to PIC drug reaction case. The bench was informed that compensation amount had not been given to victims’ families so far which has aggravated their financial difficulties.
At this, owners of Efroz Pharmaceutical Nadir Efroz and Abdullah Efroz assured the court that Rs 300,000 would be paid to family of each deceased and Rs50,000 will be given to affected person.
Government law officer opposed the amount of compensation and argued that the company (Efroz) should pay Rs500, 000 for each death and Rs300, 000 to each affected person in order to lessen their miseries.
The court directed company’s owners to submit the details about compensation to victims’ families and submit report in one week.
*At this, owners of Efroz Pharmaceutical Nadir Efroz and Abdullah Efroz assured the court that Rs 300,000 would be paid to family of each deceased and Rs50,000 will be given to affected person.
Government law officer opposed the amount of compensation and argued that the company (Efroz) should pay Rs500, 000 for each death and Rs300, 000 to each affected person in order to lessen their miseries.
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For the deads, it shouldn't be less than a million. For affected, 300k is fine.
there are many families made to signed affidavit not to sue anyone.
Many med stores collected the fake med by going door to door in areas like shadbagh etc times accompanied by police.
And many including couple of families i know who dont want any kind of compensation they want the responsibles hanged.