What is the first solution given by every person around you in case of fever and headache? 'Take a paracetamol and you’ll feel better.’ Over the years, people have purchased and consumed medicines without proper knowledge. Despite constant advice from doctors to buy medicines from authorised pharmacists after proper prescriptions, people choose to ignore it. However, a recent investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disclosed the lethal effects of taking the wrong medicine.
Last year in October 2017, 67-year-old Digambar Dhuri consumed a medicine for cancer instead of a vitamin pill which led to his death after suffering for two-three weeks. The investigation of the October incident was recently completed by FDA and accordingly, Malad Police arrested the chemist two days ago. The chemist was later released on bail, but this certainly raises concern.
The 67-year-old was returning home with his friend after visiting a restaurant and suddenly Dhuri felt dizzy and fell on the road. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital by his friend where the doctor prescribed him some medicines. Dhuri went to Kalpesh Medical Stores near Dattatray Road, Malad (West) to buy the medicines but did not verify it with the doctor and started taking them as per the prescription.
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After the consumption of these medicines, Dhuri fell seriously ill under 15-20 days and was rushed to the hospital. However, Dhuri’s body wasn’t responding to any medicines or treatments which led to an inspection by doctors that revealed that Dhuri had taken the wrong medicines and it had adversely affected his immunity. After which, the doctors could not save Dhuri and he passed away.
After his death, his family members directly lodged a complaint at FDA, which upon investigation realised that as per the prescription, Dhuri was supposed to be given ‘Folimax 10’ but the chemist had handed Dhuri, ‘Folitrax 10’. Now, Folimax 10 is a vitamin pill whereas Folitrax 10 is used to treat cancer.
The doctor had told Dhuri to take two pills a day. Accordingly, Dhuri consumed 10 pills in five days which led to his demise. Usually, even cancer patients are prescribed to take Folitrax 10 once a week! The chemists were immediately arrested by the FDA after they were found guilty. However, the most shocking factor is that they weren’t even authorised pharmacists.
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Accordingly, in March, Kalpesh Medical Stores’s medical license was also suspended. Along with this, FDA also filed a complaint against the pharmacist under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Two days ago, Malad police arrested the drug dealer Kalpesh Vyas and brought him to the court. He has been granted bail by the court, and now the police are investigating further,” D.R. Gahane, Joint Commissioner (BMC), Drug, FDA told Mumbai Live.
One wrong pill can be fatal for a person and hence, it is really vital to know and follow this basic advice to avoid any such mishaps: