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Editorial

Safe medicines, a key to good health

Ensure safe removal of bad drugs from market


Bangladeshpost
Published : 19 Jun 2019 05:39 PM | Updated : 05 Sep 2020 03:37 AM

The recent drive on pharmacy stores in the capital to root out expired medicines has come to the notice of people and it is astounding to learn that out of 200 pharmacies nearly 186 stores had expired medicines on their shelves. In light of this recent issue, the High Court (HC) has ordered the destruction or removal of all expired drugs within thirty days. On top of this, the HC has also demanded a report to be submitted prior and after carrying out the order. This is a highly commendable action taken by the Bangladeshi justice system to ensure better medicine for better health of the citizens.

On another note, it should be ensured that the drugs which are being removed are leaving the shelves for good. The case shouldn’t be such that they leave one shelf and find another one to be sold especially in the rural areas. The confiscated drugs must be kept under strict security as medicines cost hundreds of thousands of taka and swiping a few and selling them at a cheaper price for some miscreants is as easy as selling candy to a child. The entirety of the expired medicines should be destroyed as a whole to present an example of the strict abiding and upholding of consumer laws and protection of consumer rights. 


If the scenario in the capital is so dire, 

one can only wonder what the 

situation might be in the rural and remote

 areas where the grip of law is weaker


Recent reports tell us that about 93 percent of the pharmacies in the capital have expired medicines in their stores and majority of the pharmacies in the country are at fault. If the scenario in the capital is so dire, one can only wonder what the situation might be in the rural and remote areas where the grip of law is weaker. 

The authorities concerned should keep an eye out on the pharmacy stores and enforce the law strictly in case of expired drugs to be kept away from medicines which are meant for sale. Moreover, a strict path must be taken to ensure that such cases never occur again and punitive actions should be taken otherwise. Such crimes must not go unpunished.