The Hindu : Probe into drug overdose issue to start soon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 12, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Probe into drug overdose issue to start soon

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM April 11. The High Court-appointed panel of psychiatric experts is expected to visit the Peroorkada Mental Health Centre here shortly to conduct a fresh probe into the administration of overdose of psychiatric drugs to 18 women patients in January.

Though the mental health centre authorities were yet to receive any formal intimation regarding the arrival of the four-member panel, a visit by the experts is imminent, as the High Court had sought a report in two months.

The fresh probe on the directives of the High Court is to be conducted by the panel chaired by Arun Kishore, assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, Thrissur Medical College.

It is learnt that the other members of the panel are James Antony, former principal of the Thrissur Medical College, Kuruvila Thomas, president of the State chapter of the Indian Psychiatrists' Society, and Sudarsan.

The High Court Judge, Justice K. Padmanabhan Nair, had, while ordering a fresh probe, observed that the departmental inquiry conducted by the Additional Director of Health Services (Vigilance) was unsatisfactory and omissive of crucial information into the incident in which at least 18 patients developed drowsiness on being administered medicines.

The incident had occurred on January 25 when the women patients reportedly registered adverse drug reactions, ranging from extreme drowsiness to hyper-sedation, shortly after being given their night-time dose of psychiatric medicines.

The 18 patients were housed in Ward 10, the women's admission ward at the 500-bedded hospital. The two hyper-sedated patients who showed no signs of consciousness had to be taken to the Medical College for expert management, while the others had to be administered medicines for getting them out of their semi-conscious state.

All the affected patients subsequently recovered from the side effects, which are said to be an inevitable consequence of most of the highly effective, but powerful psychiatric medicines.

Minister's warning

The Health Minister, P. Sankaran, has taken a serious view of the High Court's observations on the matter and stated that stern action would be initiated against those found guilty.

According to the Minister, it was a grave matter that in spite of the High Court seeking a suo motu report on the issue, the Health officials concerned had failed to produce a substantive report resulting in the HC directing a fresh probe into the incident.

The Minister made these remarks while formally commissioning the new block for clinical psychologists and the library complex.

Mr. Sankaran also said the Government would fully cooperate with the High Court-appointed inquiry panel.

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