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View all search resultsFamilies sue government over tainted cough syrup deaths, injuries
Indonesia has seen a spike in cases of acute kidney injury (AKI) since August, with the deaths of at least 199 people, mostly children, prompting a probe into and ban on some liquid medicine sales.
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A
dozen Indonesian families whose relatives died or were injured after consuming tainted cough syrups have sued the government and companies accused of supplying the products, according to a lawsuit.
Indonesia has seen a spike in cases of acute kidney injury (AKI) since August, with the deaths of at least 199 people, mostly children, prompting a probe into and ban on some liquid medicine sales.
The class action lawsuit targets the Health Ministry, the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) and seven companies implicated in selling syrups containing excessive amounts of two compounds used in industrial products, such as antifreeze.
Awan Puryadi, a legal representative of the victims' relatives, told AFP they had taken action because the authorities had failed to prevent the sale of harmful medicines and the subsequent child deaths and injuries.
"No one has claimed responsibility. [The families of the victims] are very disappointed with the current situation," Puryadi said on Thursday about the lawsuit, which was filed on Nov. 18. "We demand that the [...] drug suppliers, pharmacies, the BPOM and the Health Ministry all take responsibility."
Families are seeking compensation of around Rp 2 billion (US$127,049) for every person killed and around Rp 1 billion for every person injured, the lawyer said.
Two families listed on the lawsuit were pursuing legal action on behalf of a total of 12 families, he said, adding that more could join in the future.
