October 18th ACS Notice On Unidentified Illness
Oct 18th, 2006 by Don Ray
Here is the latest ACS email:
Date: 18 October 2006
Subject: UPDATE - Unidentified Illness
Investigation of Unidentified Illness - UpdateThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], the Pan American Health Organization [PAHO], and the World Health Organization [WHO] are collaborating with Gorgas Institute Lab and the Ministry of Health to determine the cause of multiple unexpected illnesses and deaths. As of today, there are 51 identified cases and 22 deaths from a “mystery illness” (also known by its Spanish acronym SIRA– Acute Renal Failure Syndrome) that involved unexplained acute kidney failure and neurological changes. The CDC recently detected diethylene glycol, an industrial solvent, in some liquid medications prepared by the national Social Security System. This solvent is not intended for human use. Further investigation is ongoing.
NOTE – Individuals with Panamanian Social SecurityStay informed. The Health Minister ordered all suspect liquid medications removed from Social Security pharmacies and facilities. See the Ministry of Health website for current information and a list of the medications recalled: http://www.minsa.gob.pa/minsa2006/noticias.php?key=460
Do NOT take the following medications produced by Social Security Hospital (la Caja Seguro Social):
JARABE EXPECTORANTE SIN AZÚCAR CSS
COMPLEJO B ELIXIR. CSS
DEXTROMETORFANO BROMHIDRATO, JARABE, 10 MG/5ML. CSS
DIFENHIDRAMINA, JARABE, 12. 5 MG/5ML. CSS
HIDRATO DE CLORAL JARABE, 500 MG/5ML
HOMATROPINA METILBROMURO, ELIXIR, 5MG/5ML
IPECACUANA JARABE, 7% CSS
PARACETAMOL, (ACETAMINOFEN), JARABE O SOLUCION, 120 MG-160 MG/5ML
PASIFLORA, SOLUCION, 500MG/5ML. CSS
PIPERAZINA, JARABE, 500 MG/ML. CSS
RUIBARBO Y SODIO, MIXTURA FRASCO, CSS
TEOFILINA JARABE, 50MG/5ML. CSS
TIAMINA (VIT. B1), ELIXIR, 20 MG/5ML. CSS
GUAYACOLATO DE GLICERILO, JARABEQuestions? Concerns? Call the Social Security Hotline number at (507) 800-5500, (507) 512-9607, (507) 512-9609, (507) 229-5703.
For updated information on the health and security situation in Panama, please contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy at 207-7030. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located in The Clayton Building (formerly Fort Clayton Building 520) in the Clayton section of Panama. The Consular Section fax is 207-7278. The Embassy web site is http://usembassy.state.gov/panama and e-mails should be address to Panama-ACS@state.gov.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/world/americas/06poison.html?ex=1179547200&en=84a28e61c83c7c0f&ei=5070
That’s a great piece of investigation and reporting. The desire to always get more for less has seemingly increased to the point where those who should in fact be held accountable rarely are, but are instead tolerated and allowed to prosper while mired in negligence and worse. The senses of accountability and responsibility are not well ingrained into the human character. ¡Qué lastima! ¡Qué lastima!
Hi Frank. I hadn’t see the article before and a reader sent it to me. China has gotten several black eyes lately on this sort of thing.