Spurious drugs case: Punjab government directed to produce PIC inquiry report

The Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Tuesday directed the Punjab government to produce the inquiry report of Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) in deaths caused due to alleged spurious drugs. The CJ was holding proceedings in a petition demanding steps on part of the governments to avoid further incidents like PIC spurious medicine's reaction and subsequent deaths of patients.
Earlier, a counsel for the Punjab government appeared before the court and informed that the inquiry was completed and more time is required to produce it before the court. At this, the court adjourned the hearing till January 29. The petitioner requested for judicial inquiry into the deaths of patients due to use of adulterated medicines given by the PIC.
On previous hearing following the directions of the court, Punjab health secretary had submitted a detailed report regarding the present situation in hospitals about the patients affected by the spurious drugs. He said from December 23 to February 11, total 929 patients affected with this medicine were admitted in different hospital of the provinces. He said out of this number, 707 patients were discharged after recovery while 103 patients are still under treatment at the hospitals. He said out of 120 patients 70 were died in Lahore.