As a result of a mystery illness that has claimed the lives of 19 people, officials in Panama have withdrawn all stocks of a hypertension drug used by thousands to treat high blood pressure.
According to Health Minister Camilo Alleyne, the drug Lisinopril is being withdrawn from pharmacies, hospitals and private clinics across the Central American country while scientists test the drug for toxic agents that they suspect has poisoned 30 people.
Alleyne says the exact cause is not completely confirmed but the drug is being withdrawn from use as a safety precaution.
Lisinopril, a drug made by several companies, is used to treat hypertension and heart failure.
The first death was reported a month ago, and since then the death toll has risen to 19.
The mystery illness begins with nausea, fever, diarrhea and weakness, progressing quickly to acute kidney failure, partial paralysis and death.
Eleven more people are sick and the illness has struck in the main elderly men being treated for high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney disorders.
Most were taking a number of medications and post-mortem tests have revealed damage to kidney and nerve tissue, which lead experts to suspect some form of toxic poisoning.
It is estimated that as many as 7,000 Panamanians have public health service prescriptions for Lisinopril along with many private patients.
Obvious causes such as dengue fever, influenza and West Nile virus have been ruled out by Panamanian and U.S. scientists.