Drug death toll rises to 6

The death toll of a dangerous antibiotic injection rose to six yesterday following the deaths of two elderly people in Hunan and Sichuan. The State Food and Drug Administration is investigating the drug as reports of deaths and adverse reactions continue to mount against Anhui Huayuan Worldbest Biology Pharmacy Co's clindamycin phosphate product. The drug was banned on August 4 and a countrywide recall is in progress, state media reported. Four previous deaths were reported in Heilongjiang, Hebei, Hubei and Shaanxi provinces. No direct charges have been levelled at the firm, which has stopped production of the drug. The company said 3.18 million doses have been distributed to 26 provinces, regions and municipalities. Only 1.4 million have been recalled to date.