A woman in Dharampuri village tragically died after being given celphos, a highly toxic aluminum phosphide tablet, instead of a painkiller. The incident occurred on Thursday evening when the victim, Rekha, visited a medical store near Thandla Gate to purchase medication for a toothache.

According to Jhabua Superintendent of Police (SP) Padmavilochan Shukla, a salesgirl at the shop mistakenly handed Rekha a celphos tablet. Unaware of the danger, Rekha consumed the tablet at home, believing it to be a painkiller. Celphos is typically used as a fumigant to protect stored grains from pests.

As soon as she ingested the tablet, her health deteriorated rapidly. Realizing the grave error, her family rushed her to a nearby hospital. Despite the medical staff's best efforts, Rekha could not be saved and passed away.

The police have launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities are trying to determine how such a fatal mistake could have occurred. The focus of the investigation includes scrutinizing the pharmacy's procedures for dispensing medication and understanding how the toxic substance was accessible alongside common painkillers. The police will also look into whether the salesgirl had adequate training and knowledge about the medicines she was handling.

This incident highlights the critical importance of proper medication dispensing protocols at pharmacies and medical stores. Drugs must be stored correctly and clearly labeled to prevent mix-ups. It also underscores the necessity for pharmacy staff to be well-trained and vigilant in dispensing medications to avoid potentially lethal errors. Consumers should always double-check the medication they receive before consumption.

The incident has caused considerable outrage and grief in Dharampuri village. Local residents are calling for strict action against those responsible for the deadly mistake. The district health authorities are also reviewing the licensing and operational standards of medical stores in the area to prevent similar incidents in the future.