Dhaka, June 20 (UNB) – Director General of the Directorate of Drug Administration Major General Md Mahbubur Rahman on Thursday said 370 cases were filed and Tk 58.57 lakh was realised in fine for keeping expired medicines in pharmacies across the country.
He said this at a press conference at the Secretariat ahead of Vitamin-A Plus campaign.
Replying to a question, he said action will be taken against pharmacies running without licences and drive against adulterated medicines will be strengthened.
On June 10, Manjur Mohammad Shahrier, Director General of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection’s (DNCRP), said 93 percent pharmacies in the capital kept expired drugs.
On Tuesday, the High Court asked the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to remove expired medicines from pharmacy shelves across the country and destroy those within 30 days.
Replying to a question, Health Minister Zahid Malik said they will cancel the licences of the pharmacies which will sell expired medicines.
“There might be expired medicines in pharmacies but those are not for sale,” the minister said adding, “We’ll sit at a meeting soon on keeping expired medicines in pharmacies.”
Admitting the manpower crisis at the Directorate General of Drug Administration, the minister said, “We’ll recruit manpower for the department soon.”
