CM orders suspension over drug-linked maternal deaths in Ballari

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday suspended Drugs Controller Dr. Umesh S and ordered the prosecution of Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals, a West Bengal-based pharma firm, over the four maternal deaths in Ballari. The deaths occurred during cesarean surgeries in November and were linked to substandard Ringer’s lactate supplied by the company.

At a meeting with Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and top officials, Siddaramaiah announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh for the bereaved families. The government also decided to blacklist the pharma company and seek compensation from it for the victims’ families.

Ringer’s lactate, typically used to replace lost fluids and electrolytes, was suspected of causing the fatalities. A preliminary inquiry cleared the doctors involved in the surgeries, but departmental action has been initiated against the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation’s managing director and the Ballari district surgeon.

Siddaramaiah formed a committee led by Additional Chief Secretary Uma Mahadevan to investigate similar deaths statewide, with a report due in seven days. He also called for restructuring the drugs control department and adopting Tamil Nadu’s model for drug procurement to prevent further lapses.

Minister Rao revealed that 22 out of 92 tested batches of the drug were substandard, but legal challenges had delayed action. “The drugs controller should have prosecuted the company earlier,” Rao said, emphasizing stricter monitoring.

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