diethylene glycol poisoning victims continue fight

11 years ago diethylene glycol poisoning left hundreds dead, and more suffering in Panama. Today the fight for justice continues as Panama’s Administration prosecutor presses government bodies to take action

Administration Prosecutor Rigoberto Gonzalez sent letters to Miguel Mayo, Minister of Health; Alfredo Martiz, Director of  Social Security (CSS); Humberto Mas, director of the Institute of Legal Medicine and  Forensic Sciences, and Dulcidio De La Guardia, Minister of Economy and Finance.

“I make a formal request  to you to be the auditor and guarantor that, at the time any person who is certified as an affected patient or claims to be affected  and requires the services of the institution under your charge, that they are received and treated with the priority they deserve, in order to ensure respect for their rights, “says Gonzalez in the letters.

The first reported cases of poisoning in CSS patients were in September 2006. However, 11 years after the massive casualties from cough syrup contaminated with diethylene glycol, that originated in China, victims continue to seek justice. 

La Prensa contacted the Public Relations departments of the Ministry of Health, the CSS and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, to get reactions to Gonzalez’s request, but there was no response.

The New York Times reported that Toxic syrup has made it’s way to at least eight countries over the last two decades resulting in mass poisonings.   Researchers estimate that thousands have died and in many cases, the precise origin of the poison has never been determined. However, three of the last four cases have the drugs originating in China, a major source of counterfeit drugs.

In Panama, the 260,000 bottles of cold medicine were distributed with devastating results according to reports from families 365 deaths occurred. However, 11-years later it is still hard to confirm exactly how many people have been affected by diethylene glycol poisoning in Panama. 

“It’s vastly underreported,” Dr. Bennish said of diethylene glycol poisoning. Doctors might not suspect toxic medicine, particularly in poor countries with limited resources and a generally unhealthy population, he said, adding, “Most people who die don’t come to a medical facility.”