Tk 15.6 cr must pay tofamilies of 104 children

Death from adulterated paracetamol

Court Correspondent: In the case of the death of 104 children due to the consumption of adulterated paracetamol, the High Court has issued a verdict directing to pay a total compensation of Tk 15 lakh to each family of Tk 156 million. In the verdict, the court ordered the formation of an independent national anti-counterfeit drug committee.
Wednesday (November 15) Justice Md. Ashraful Kamal and Justice Raziq Al Jalil delivered the 9-page verdict after the signature of the High Court bench comprising.
In that judgment, the court gave eight directions. They are –

1. The Constitution declares the fundamental right of every person to free medical facilities and this right includes the right to life.
2. Opponents are directed to take all necessary steps to stop adulteration of medicines across the country and to take legal action under Special Powers Act 25(c).
3. The deaths of 76 children in 1991 and 28 in 2009 are a heavy burden for drug administration authorities.
4. The drug administration authorities were directed to compensate each family of 76 children in 1991 and 28 children in 2009 at the rate of Tk 15 lakh. (Drug administration authority can collect the compensation money from the respective responsible person, drug company.)
5. An independent National Counterfeit Drugs Committee was ordered to be formed.
6. The respondents are directed to consider the suggestions made in the supplementary affidavit filed by the petitioner on June 2, 2022.
7. Additionally published in the Bangladesh Gazette on March 23, 2017, the National Medicines Policy-2016 was suggested for speedy implementation.
8. It has been suggested to create medical service infrastructure for the people of our country on the model of UK.
   The court directed the Registrar General of the Supreme Court to send a copy of its judgment to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
   Earlier, on June 2, 2022, the High Court ordered compensation of Tk 1.5 lakh per family in the death of 104 children due to consumption of adulterated paracetamol. Justice Md Kamal and Justice Raziq Al Jalil announced the rule issued in this regard.
   Writ petitioner Manzil Morsed said, “In 1991, 76 children died after consuming adulterated paracetamol syrup and in 2009, 28 children died after consuming Reed Pharma’s paracetamol.” In 2010, environmental and human rights organization Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking a symbol of public interest, adding to the report published in the daily newspaper. In the same year, the High Court heard and ruled on the question of inaction and compensation of drug administration. Justice Md. Iman Ali and Justice Obaidul Hasan (current Chief Justice) after the final hearing of rule, the High Court gave this verdict.