Bengaluru: The Vyalikaval police arrested a pharmacist, who allegedly sold a prescription drug to three youth who overdosed on it and two of them died while celebrating a birthday party. Another man is critical and being treated at a hospital.
The police said that the victims bought the drug at from Maneesh Kumar, who owns a pharmacy store on West of Chord Road near Rajajinagar.
The man, who is critical – Sampath alias Chitte, gave the police the sequence of events leading to the death of his two friends. The Vyalikaval police along with an assistant drug controller raided the shop and took Maneesh into custody.
Sampath, who is being treated at KIMS Hospital, told the police what happened before the tragic incident.
Tydol tablet
Sampath told the police that on November 17, his friend, Gopi – who is dead now, took him to the alleged pharmacy to purchase Tydol tablets, syringes and distilled water.
After the purchase, Gopi invited Abhilash (another deceased youth) to his residence. They powdered the tablet, dissolved it in water and injected themselves.
Gopi and Abhilash took the injections and they injected Sampath too. Since Gopi and Abhilash had taken high doses they got a severe heart pain and passed away. Sampath however survived.
During the investigation, the police found out that the accused, Maneesh Kumar, had sold the tablet without prescription by violating the rules.
It was also found that the accused had bought the tablets in bulk to sell them for higher price. It is said that Maneesh confessed to the crime and was sent to judicial custody.
During the investigation, the police found that many medical stores across the city sold drugs without a proper prescription. The police warned that action will be taken against them.
About the tablet
Tydol is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which works by blocking the release of certain chemical messengers that cause pain and inflammation (redness and swelling).
This tablet treats pain, swelling, stiffness and joint pain in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and acute musculoskeletal injuries. It is commonly used to treat back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, sprains and spasms. It should be taken with food or milk to prevent stomach upset.
Vomiting, stomach pain, nausea and indigestion are some of the common side-effects of the drug. It may also cause dizziness, drowsiness or visual disturbances. Unfortunately, the youth have converted it into a drug and consume it for pleasure.
