Bengaluru: A serious blunder occurred in a Bengaluru hospital when paracetamol syrup bottles with suspicious black marks were given to children at a government hospital in Nelamangala town on the northwestern fringes of the city. Allegedly due to which, 12 lactating women died in Raichur and Ballari districts. According to the Bengaluru Rural district health officer (DHO), the paracetamol syrup bottles were supposed to be sent for testing at labs. However, some of the drugs were given to the patients instead, the officials added.

Manufacturing Dates, Other Details BlackenedWhile the health department argued that the batch of medicines were kept aside for lab testing, relatives who had given the bottles revealed that the black marks covered the part mentioning essential information like the manufacturer's name, batch number and licence details. They alleged that the details were deliberately blackened out, dismissing the claims made by the hospital management.According to a report of , the children who were given the substandard drugs were said to be in the age group of 5-11 years."Earlier, a requisition for paracetamol syrup for treating children's fever was placed. However, the department supplied a range of medications, including this syrup, without proper labelling or information. After I informed the Bengaluru Rural district health officer (DHO), we were told that these drugs had been tested for quality in a laboratory. However, the labels had been deliberately obscured to conceal vital data, yet the syrup continues to be distributed for treatment,” said Dr Sonia, medical officer, Nelamangala Government Hospital. Concerns Grow Among ParentsA resident who often comes to the state-run hospital for his child’s check-up expressed concern. He said that he was given the blackened bottle of paracetamol to administer his child despite his protest.He said, "I often bring my child to the hospital for check-ups. On Wednesday evening, I took my son to the hospital and he was given a bottle of paracetamol syrup with black marks obscuring the details. When I asked the hospital staff about it, they refused to give me a clear answer and insisted I administer the syrup to my child. I am deeply concerned that this substandard medication could harm my child," quoted by the media report. ‘Even Though, It’s Illegal to Conceal Vital Data'A senior laboratory scientist condemned the act, saying that even though the bottles were supposed to undergo necessary lab testing, hiding the information is illegal."While samples are supposed to undergo detailed testing at laboratories, it is highly unusual and illegal to hide critical information with black markers. Before we receive samples, the information on the packaging is decoded. According to standard procedure, after the testing of any drug, it should be destroyed. Sending these syrup bottles out for use for treatment is a criminal offence if the information on the package is obscured,” he said.