Panama puts five suspects under probe after poisonous syrups kill over 20 people

Panamanian authorities put five suspects under investigation after 26 people were killed by cough and allergy syrups tainted with a chemical used in brake fluid, the state prosecutor's office said Thursday.

In a statement, the office said Panama is seeking cooperation from Spain in the probe, since the poisonous glycol in the syrups is linked to a Spanish company.

The five suspects are already prohibited from leaving the country. They may face jail terms ranging from eight to 10 years if found guilty of crimes against public health, according to the statement.

Panamanian police said last week that they were to investigate lab workers involved in the case.

U.S. experts recently attributed the deaths to the generic sugar-free cough syrups made by Panama's social security system. The deaths had previously puzzled medical authorities for months.

The medicines, some containing antihistamine, were adulterated with diethylene glycol, an alcohol used as a coolant in brake fluids and hydraulic systems, said health officials.

"It will be necessary to take statements from those people involved in the handling of this substance," Senior prosecutor Rigoberto Gonzalez said.

The Panamanian government has removed the sugar-free syrups from clinics while warning people not to use them.

The Panamanian Health Ministry said the medicines had been likely contaminated on purpose.

Most of the victims have been elderly men over 60 being treated for high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney disorders.

Source: Xinhua