Panama Cough Syrup Death
Toll Rises Further
PANAMA CITY - At
least 115 Panamanians
died after drinking
toxic cough syrup in
2006, investigators said
on Thursday, as the slow
probe into the health
disaster turned up more
cases.
Jose Oro, a spokesman
for the Ministry of
Public Affairs, said
recent clinical tests
had shown at least 115
people died after taking
cough syrup that was
adulterated with
diethylene glycol, a
poisonous substance
normally used in engine
coolant.
The Chinese-made toxin
was mistaken for a
sweetener by government
drug manufacturers, who
made low-cost medicines
for Panama's poorest
people.
Investigators previously
estimated the drug had
killed 94 people, mainly
from kidney failure or
related ailments.
Investigations are only
slowly turning up new
cases because of the
number of people
involved. Only around 20
percent of the 763
people tested to date
have actually shown
traces of the deadly
drug, according to a
government study.
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