Central team to collect syringe samples

Chennai, May 17 (UNI) Following Tamil Nadu Health Minister M R K Panneerselvam's letter complaining that Auto Disable (AD) syringes supplied by the Centre were defective, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss today said he had instructed Drug Controller General of India to send teams not only to Tamil Nadu but also throughout the country to pick up samples.

Talking to mediapersons here, he said all these samples would be sent to Central Drug Laboratory, Kolkata, for a thorough investigation.

These syringes would be examined and tested. The Drug Controller would be ready with a report within a couple of weeks, Dr Ramadoss added.

''So far, altogether 22 syringe samples were collected from Chennai alone,'' he said.

Drug Control Director Surendra Singh, who was also present, said he himself saw the syringe, which was said to be rusty.

''Only a thorough investigation will reveal whether the stainless steel needle had become rusty or the coating in the surface had come off,'' Dr Singh said.

He said as all the vaccines supplied to Tamil Nadu were provided by UNICEF and UNOPS, which adhere to stringent WHO norms, there was no chance of syringes becoming rusty.

''Once we get the investigation report from the CDL, we will take action,'' he said.

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