Medicine deaths see Panama reform

The contaminated medicines were produced by government labs

The president of Panama has announced reforms to the public health system, after the deaths of at least 40 people from contaminated medicines this year.

President Martin Torrijos said the laboratory where the contaminated substances were manufactured would be permanently closed.

He is setting up a national authority to guarantee production of safe drugs.

An inquiry is looking into a company that allegedly sold the substance, found in cough and anti-allergy syrups.

Medicines mixed with diethylene glycol, a solvent commonly used as brake fluid, have killed 41 mainly elderly people since September.

A more expensive chemical, propylene glycol, is generally used in many liquid drugs.

The deaths have badly shaken confidence in Panama's public health system, usually a source of much pride.

"Maybe it will cost more, but Panamanians' lives do not have a price. There is no comparison between money and life," Mr Torrijos said as he announced the closure of the government lab that produced the deadly medicine.