‘Misbranded’ drugs being supplied in Govt hospitals

SRINAGAR, (PTK): Substandard and misbranded drugs have been found in Government Hospitals of J&K, revealed the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) department before the High Court.

The information submitted by Principal Secretary to Health and Medical Education Department, Atul Dulloo states that 69 drug samples have been found sub-standard and misbranded, out of which 11 such drugs have been supplied by the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd (JKMSCL) – a Government Agency.

Court was hearing suo-moto cognizance on an open letter addressed by one G S Grewal, president of Punjab Medical Council to the Prime Minister, which was published in various news papers.

Grewal, while addressing the said letter, had referred various problems and hardships faced by the general public to medical corruption with regard to exorbitant pricing of drugs, payments and commissions to referring doctors by pharmacists as well diagnostic centers, unnecessary reference of patients for testing to the diagnostic centers and medical examinations without actual need.

As per the revelations by H&ME department, the Drug and Food Control Organization (D&FCO) tested 3145 drugs sample in the state this year, out of which 69 were found substandard.

These include 30 samples from Jammu division and 51 samples from Kashmir division including the hospitals.

Reportedly, out of total 69 misbranded drugs, 58 drugs were taken from the open market and 11 from JKMSCL. (PTK)