.jpg )
A six-member committee formed by the Director General of Drug Administration (DGDA) on Sunday started investigating the incidents of two children’s death after taking Napa syrup in Brahmanbaria.
“The sample of the syrup has been sent to a Dhaka lab for testing. Also samples of the syrups of the same batch have been collected and sent for testing “, said Dr Akib Hossain, head of the probe committee and director of DGDA.
Read: Health Minister vows legal action in Napa deaths of two siblings
The committee members interviewed the family members of the deceased siblings around 12 pm at Durgapur union in Ashuganj upazila.
The committee recorded testimonies of the children’s mother Lima Begum, uncle Ujjal Mia, grandmother Lilufa Begum.
Dr Akib said, the family members of those children said they fell sick immediately after consuming the syrup.
“The reaction started within 10 to 15 minutes of taking the syrup. It may take time to identify the suspicious element in the syrup, “ said the DGDA director.
Other members of the committee-two deputy directors, two assistant directors and an inspector of DGDA accompanied Dr Akib during the investigation.
On Thursday night, two siblings named Yasin Khan,7, and Morsalin Khan,5, son of Ismail Khan, a brick kiln worker, died after given Napa syrup at their home for high fever.
It was bought from a local ‘Ma Pharmacy’ owned by Main Uddin and the syrup had an expiry date mentioned till 2023.
Read:Govt seeks WHO nod for vaccinating children aged 5 and above: Health Minister
The children were discharged after being given primary medications at District Sadar Hospital. Yasin died on the way home, and Morsalin after reaching home, the family said.