Official: 18 children died after drinking Dok-1MAKS in Uzbekistan

Information spread on social networks that 15 children died due to Dok-1MAKS drug in a children’s hospital in Samarkand.

Aliya Yunusova, representative of the Oliy Majlis on Children’s Rights, went to Samarkand and conducted an investigation into the death of the children due to Dok-1MAKS drug in a children’s hospital.  According to the investigations, 18 children who took this medicine died.

“Studies show that 21 patients with acute kidney injury were examined and treated in the regional children’s multidisciplinary medical center between September-December.  The patients were from Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Navoi and Samarkand regions, 3 patients were cured and sent home, and 18 died.  All patients are children under 6 years old.  15 of them are children under 3 years old,” said the Ombudsman Press Service.  

When the relatives of the patients were asked about the causes of their illness, it was stated that they had symptoms of a cold and that their condition worsened after taking the drug Dok-1MAKS for the purpose of treatment.

It is noted that every 10 ml of Dok-1MAKS drug contains paracetamol — 500 mg, guaifenesin — 200 mg, phenylephrine hydrochloride — 10 mg.  Experts noted that the instructions for use of the Dok-1MAKS drug indicate that the drug can be used from the age of 2, but the drugs of other companies with such a composition are mostly allowed to be used after the age of 12.

Article 40 of the law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Protection of Citizens’ Health” provides for pathological-anatomical research in healthcare facilities during life and post-mortem diagnosis (biopsy and autopsy).  As well as to control the correctness of the diagnosis and treatment of the disease in clinical conditions, and to obtain accurate information about the causes of death.

At the same time, treatment according to the regulation “On the procedure for conducting pathological and anatomical studies” approved by the order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan (22.02.2019. list number 3138)  -in order to determine the causes of death of persons who died in prophylactic institutions, pathological-anatomical studies were prescribed, but none of the deceased patients underwent pathological-anatomical studies.

“Currently, a working group formed by the Ministry of Health continues its studies.  The Samarkand city prosecutor’s office is investigating each death.  The representative for children’s rights asked the first deputy prosecutor of Samarkand region to conduct an in-depth study of the situation and ensure that the guilty do not go unpunished in each case, and the rule of law must be ensured.  The representative of the child’s rights took full control of the situation,” the Ombudsman said.