State govt writes Centre seeking probe on Ringer lactate supplier following deaths of nursing mothers 

BENGALURU: The serial deaths of nursing mothers in Ballari had created a big sensation in the state. Now, political parties have used it for politics. The opposition held a protest against the government, saying that it failed in providing quality medical service to them.

Amid all the controversy, Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department has written to the Central Drugs Control Department and the Drugs Controller General of India regarding the supply of substandard “Compound Sodium Lactate Injection I.P (Ringer’s Lactate)” by M/s. Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals, West Bengal.

The Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation purchased compound Sodium Lactate injection IP, manufactured by Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals, West Bengal, and supplied it to district hospitals.

Maternal deaths have been reported between November 9 and 11 in the district hospital Ballari. Out of several batches supplied to Karnataka Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) for use in government hospitals, 22 batches failed quality tests conducted by the Drugs Control Officers across the state. Tragically, these failures have been linked to the four maternal deaths in the District Hospital, Ballari.

The Health department had blacklisted the company. However, the CDL report later showed a positive result, and the remaining IV fluid batches were supplied. An investigation is also required into the CDL report, the state government has said.

The Government of Karnataka has requested an urgent investigation into the matter and demanded strict action against the manufacturer and all those responsible. “Patient safety is our utmost priority. The public is also demanding the government that it should take stringent action against those responsible for the tragedy and ensure that such incidents do not recur”, the letter stated.