ained poisonous substances imported from abroad, a public prosecutor said Wednesday, warning the toll could rise. The cases are part of a wide-scale investigation into the contamination of Panamanian-made medications, primarily for allergies and coughs, which used ingredients imported from China and Spain.
Judicial authorities are examining a total of 705 cases -- 471 of whom died and 234 who were afflicted in some way -- and determined that most had consumed contaminated cough syrup.
"Analysis of 156 patients revealed diethylene glycol intoxication," said Dimas Guevara who is investigating the case, adding that the recent batch of autopsies performed showed 107 had died and 49 survived but sustained serious kidney damage.
Diethylene glycol, or DEG, is a common industrial solvent used for automobile brake fluid and antifreeze, and was found in 14 contaminated medicines, Guevara said.
Until now, Panamanian authorities had said around 80 people had died and 39 were injured by the contamination.
The victims, the majority of whom were over age 60 suffering from kidney problems, died at the end of last year after taking one of 14 medications prescribed for coughs, allergies or the flu.
The medicines were developed by laboratories within the Panamanian public health system.
The lab that was incriminated has closed its doors and the government has paid 6.2 million dollars in damages to the victims or their families.
The director of Panama's Social Security Fund (SSF) was arrested in June after 14 medicines for cough, allergy and flu produced by the SSF laboratory were found to be contaminated with DEG imported from China.
In addition, the owner of the Panamanian company MEDICOM which imported the contaminated chemicals through the intermediary of the Spanish company RAFER was arrested at the beginning of this year.
Panama has asked for the cooperation of Spanish and Chinese authorities, since the Spanish company RAFER used a Chinese company, CNSC Fortune Way Company, as a supplier.
