The homemade pills from a local healer in Semtokha, Thimphu, have shown high lead content. The confirmation came from Shriram Institute of Industrial Research in India, where the pills were sent for laboratory test. The test confirmed toxic level beyond the safe limit prescribed by the World Health Organisation and other standards.
The probe into the content of the pills began when a Bhutanese living in Geneva suffered from lead poisoning after taking the pills. He suffered from acute stomach ache and was hospitalized in the University Hospital of Geneva. Upon examination, the doctors found high lead content in his blood, hair and stomach.
Following a search warrant in April, some 90 packets of homemade pills were seized from the practitioner’s house in Semtokha. He was fined Nu.18, 900. The local healer also gave a letter of undertaking stating that he would stop the practice.
