Government drugs death toll hits 219 and climbing

The death toll of Panamanians poisoned by government distributed drugs has climbed to 219 with more likely to follow.

Another 48 victims have been addedto the official list, of those killed by diethylene glycol  says  special senior prosecutor, Julio Villarreal.

The poison, known as an igredient for windshield washer fluid, was introduced into cough mixture and distributed through social security clinics.
The death toll rose last week, after case reviews byexperts from the Institute of Legal Medicine.
Villarreal said that th efigure may rise again in the coming weeks, as the review ofpending cases is being done more expeditiously.
The Public Ministry has received 40 new complaints 
The previous figure handled by the prosecution was 171 deaths, but the media knew of only 167 cases.
Dolphin Mojica, 60, who died in Chiriqui Saturday June 19 was the last reported case.

The  prosecutor said the decision of the Spanish National Court to close a case  against the International Rasfer company (responsible for the shipment of the toxic mixture  Panama), was being appealed.
He said  that Spain is obliged to notify Panama of decisions taken in connection with the case, according to a bi-national agreement.

 Leaders of the Committee of Relatives of Victims for the Right to Health and Life met with officials from the Ministry of Social Development to request a grant, with the aim of the group to give aid to those affected by diethylene glycol .

There have been ongoing protests by relatives of the victims and sufferers, depening government assistance, but there has been little progress..