Panama Searches For 6,000 Potential Victims Of Contaminated Drugs From Two Years Ago

Panamanian investigators are on the hunt for 6,000 patients who received medicine that was contaminated with a chemical found in antifreeze and brake fluid. The medicine was handed to the government two years ago when 116 people died.

The medicines handed to the government were cough syrup, antihistamine tablets, calamine lotion and rash ointment made at a government laboratory. They all contained diethylene glycol. Two years after the fact the Health Ministry is searching for those whose names were on the bottles to see if they still need treatment. Relatives of those who died question the totals that the government say were sickened by the medicine. They believe the death count could be as high as 300. A committee that represents the families of the victims is behind the new initiative after urging for some time for a more through investigation on the affects of the poisoned medicine.

"For us this is very important because it has been one of our demands," Gabriel Pascual told RPC Radio. "Time will show we are right, and health authorities will have to really commit to helping everyone who was affected."

So far the government has determined that 86 people survived after taking the medicine. 185 victims have already been compensated costing Panama's government $7 million(U.S.). The chemical was made by a Chinese company that sold what they claimed was 99.5 pure glycerin to a Spanish company. The Spanish company then allegedly sold the chemical to a company inside of Panama.