Chhattishgarh sterlisation deaths: Ciprocin tablet contained rodenticide

Bilaspur: Initial reports reveal that the Ciprocin 500 tablets given to the women, who underwent tubectomy, contained rodenticide, principal health secretary Alok Shukla told the media.

Nearly 44 lakh tablets of the medicine manufactured by Mahavar Pharma Company have been seized, he added.

The tablets given to the women after surgery at Pendari and Gaurela sterlisation camps contained high amount of zinc phosphide, a rodenticide. Therefore, prima facie, it can be concluded that the rat killer chemical caused condition of women to deteriorate after the surgery.

Government has banned sale of all medicines manufactured by Mahavar Pharma and appealled to public to not buy these medicines, he said.

Samples of the medicine have been sent to laboratories in Kolkata, Delhi, Nagpur for testing. Also, viscera of the women who died after the surgery is being tested. The authorities will be able to ascertain the cause of death only after all reports come in, Shukla said.