Kollam:  A serious complaint has emerged from Klappana Grama Panchayat in Kollam district after patients reported that blood pressure pills distributed through the local Family Health Center were bending like rubber instead of breaking apart.

The tablets, supplied by Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL), were reportedly given to several patients. Complaints arose after some individuals experienced unusual side effects, including excessive sleepiness and body pain. When patients tried to split the medicine, it did not break but bent, raising suspicions about its quality.

Following the complaints, the Panchayat president inspected the matter and immediately instructed the health center to halt the distribution. “We received a call from a household about problems with the pill. When we checked, the medicine was indeed flexible and bent when pressure was applied. We consulted the doctor at the health center, who confirmed it should not be distributed further. We also informed those who had already received it to stop taking the drug,” the Panchayat president told .

The medicine, identified as Metoprolol, commonly prescribed for high blood pressure, has now been sent for laboratory testing. Distribution has been suspended until the test results are confirmed.

Authorities are expected to take further action once the lab reports are available.