Spain's Normon says drug not behind Panama deaths

PANAMA CITY, Oct 9 (Reuters) Spanish drug maker Normon SA said on Sunday its hypertension tablets are not the cause of a mystery illness in Panama that has killed 19 people over the past month.

Panama began removing stocks of Lisinopril over the weekend from pharmacies, hospitals and private clinics after noticing that nine out of the 30 mostly elderly people who have become sick with the illness were taking the drug.

Of those nine people, five have died.

Health officials say damage to kidney and nerve tissue spotted during post-mortem exams of the victims points to possible toxic agents being involved.

''We insist that only a minority consumed this product, which seems to leave it clear that Lisinopril Normon is not responsible for this situation,'' Madrid-based Normon said in a statement yesterday.

It said its scientists, along with officials at the company that distributes the generic drug in Panama, had analyzed batches of the tablets in Panama.

''We can guarantee that the product is in perfect condition,'' Normon said, noting that it had sold Lisinopril around the world for 15 years with no problems.

Some 7,000 Panamanians are taking Lisinopril through the public health system. More may take it via private clinics.

Eleven people were still sick with the illness, which starts with nausea, fever and diarrhea and progresses to acute kidney failure, partial paralysis and death.

Lisinopril, used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, is made by several companies. The version made by Normon, a laboratory specializing in generic medicines, arrived on the Panamanian market in mid-August, shortly before the illness broke out.

Panamanian Health Minister Camilo Alleyne said on Saturday that government scientists had tested the tablets and detected no toxic agents. He said the drug's recall was a precautionary move.

The illness has struck mainly men over age 60 being treated for high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney disorders. The fact that several were taking Lisinopril made investigators wonder if there could be a contaminated batch.

Executives and scientists from Normon were traveling to Panama to help with the investigation. The company sells its drugs in Europe, Central and South America, Asia and Africa.

Panamanian and US scientists working on the case have ruled out illnesses like dengue fever and West Nile virus.

Reuters DKA VP0915