Shillong, July 2: The health department has saud due to Covid-19 pandemic, the medicines were stuck in central medical store at Pasteur Hill and their non-utilisation led to expiry.
The expired medicines were found dumped at Marten dumping ground on June 29.
In a report, the director of health services said, “Medicines expired due to non-utilisation during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic”.
According to the report the dumped medicines were expired ones.
“The medicines had been indented as per the demand of the various districts and health institutions across the state. The medicines were accordingly procured and distributed to the concerned district and health institutions.
A part of the medicines procured were stored in the Central Medica Store so as to meet any immediate demand which may arise as an emergency. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic these medicines were stuck in the Central Medical store as there was no immediate demand then. The medicines had expired due to non-utilisation during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The expired medicines were needed to be disposed as it was taking up a lot of space in the store which was causing great inconvenience as newly indented medicines have to be accommodated,” the report said.
The Pharmacist in-charge, Central Medical Store Directorate Health Services (MI) had informed vide letter dated May 27, 2023 for disposal of the expired medicines at the earliest.
The list of expired medicine was certified by the Appropriate Authority.
The Assistant Drugs Controller, Directorate of Health Services (MI) vide letter dated June 19, 2023 had communicated to the Pharmacist in-charge Central Medicine Store for disposal of the expired medicines with Appropriate Authority.
The Pharmacist in-charge had then communicated to the Appropriate Authority for appropriate disposal of the expired medicines which was carried out on June 29, 2023, the report added.
