November 07, 2006	Tuesday	Shawwal 14, 1427

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VEHARI, Nov 6: Quacks, medical stores, and homeo clinics are the main source of marketing of toxic liquor in Vehari district and adjoining areas. Information collected by this correspondent gives out that the required material, including alcohol, methylated spirit with glue, and various cough syrups of local and multinational companies are easily available on these outlets.

One of the victims, Abdul Ghaffar of D-Block, died after taking toxic liquor during Eid holidays.

A close friend of victim on the condition of anonymity said Ghaffar had taken cough syrup `Corex-D’ a few minutes after taking liquor due to soar throat. He suddenly fell unconscious and died before getting any first aid.

According to a druggist, cough syrups of different multi-national companies and herbal companies are being used in manufacturing liquor. Drug addicts also use these cough syrups for intoxication.

Various brands of cough syrups, including Corex-D, Tyno, Histamal-D and Tosivil, are easily available at medical stores.

Another druggist said that some cough syrups were already banned but a majority of medical stores sold them without any fear.

A homeo storeowner said that over 90 per cent homeo medicines used alcohol, but no medicine was used for intoxication.

He did admit that 20ml and 450ml alcohol dilution packs were available at Rs70 and Rs200, respectively. He said that homeo companies provided these alcohol dilution packs only for doctors, but some blacksheep could sell these packs to customers after receiving heavy amount.

Requesting anonymity, a quack said that he sold herbal products which were used in the manufacture of desi liquor. He said that he paid monthly to a drug inspector to run his business smoothly.

Another quack said that a family member of a drug inspector was in the medicine business in Burewala. He said the drug inspector was promoting his business and owners of most of the medical stores were forced to purchase medicines from this store. Sometimes they had to purchase `not for sale’ medicines stock from him.

He claimed that over 1,500 quacks were running their business with the connivance of health and excise officials.

Vehari DHO Dr Gazanfar Abbas Dharala said that health teams did not conduct raids or launch a campaign without any written complaint.

He, however, said effective measures would be taken against quacks, medical and homeo stores for their involvement in manufacturing liquor that had already claimed several lives.