Youth dies after being administered ‘wrong injection’ in Odisha

A young man named Prashant Sahu died allegedly after receiving an incorrect injection at a pharmacy store under Aul Police limits in Kendrapara district on Friday.

Also Read: Odisha cracks down on injections administered at private pharmacies

Prashant, a resident of Bharatpur village, had gone to ‘Annapurna Medical Hall’ (a medicine store) located in Singiri Bazaar for treatment.

According to sources, the pharmacy's owner, Sanjay Patra, administered two injections to Prashant. The youth soon experienced adverse reactions, including vomiting and intense discomfort. He was initially rushed to a health centre in Pattamundai locality before being shifted to Kendrapara district headquarters hospital (DHH). Prashant was pronounced ‘dead’ upon arrival.

Prashant's family asserted that the improper administration of the injection led to his untimely death, and they have lodged a complaint against the pharmacy owner at Aul Police Station. In response, the police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Currently, accused Patra is said to have vacated his residence, and his shop remains closed. Attempts to reach him for a statement have been unsuccessful, raising further questions.

“My son (Prashant) had a sprain on his leg, and he had asked me to take him for treatment. I had told him to go with me on Saturday (tomorrow). However, he came along with one of his friends to Sanjay Patra (the accused store owner) today. He (Prashant) was administered two injections, and he felt uneasy after a short while. He had chest pain and vomiting, and later became unconscious. He died on his way to Kendrapara DHH. I have lodged a police complaint against Sanjay Patra,” the deceased’s father, Kalakar Sahu, alleged.

Worth mentioning, the Directorate of Health-Odisha had earlier announced a clampdown on April 8 on pharmaceutical stores administering injections, following troubling reports of unauthorised individuals providing such services.

The directives were then sent to all Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) across the State, highlighting significant health concerns posed by unlicensed practices.

Strict warning for untrained persons

Reports from various regions have noted incidents where untrained persons, lacking the necessary authorisation, have been administering injections in local chemist shops, leading to numerous adverse reactions and even fatalities.

In response, the health authorities had initiated regular compliance checks on pharmacy licenses, ensuring they meet all current legal requirements. The directive underscores that only certified healthcare professionals should handle such medical procedures.

Must Read: Class 10 student dies after being administered 'wrong' injection in Odisha

Efforts to raise public awareness are also underway, with community health centres and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers informing the public about the potential risks of accepting injection services from unauthorised personnel.

Reported By: Manoj Swain, Umakanta