Expired drugs flood the market

by Carol Aloysius

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has called upon the public to be vigilant when purchasing medical drugs.

Director General CAA J.M.U. Douglas told the Sunday Observer that they had received several complaints of unlicensed drugs with expired dates being sold to the public by private pharmacies. This is a serious offence and poses a grave risk to public health”.

Assistant Director, Pricing, CAA, Rohan Meewanage said the public should see whether the maximum retail price of the drugs was printed.

“The customer must check if the price is stamped on the container and insist on a bill bearing the name and address of the pharmacy, so that it will be easy for us to locate it, if our stipulations have not been met”, he said.

When a medical drug is dispensed details of the patient’s name, drug name, dosage, and as well as how the drug should be used and at what time should be taken as prescribed by the patient’s medical doctor, should be given clearly in simple language so that the patient can understand it.

All envelopes for the drugs must carry the pharmacy’s name and address. This is a requirement of the Cosmetics, Devices and Drug Authority Act.

We have set up a hotline for the benefit of the public. Any complaint can be directed to 011-7755481-3.

“We have received over 20 complaints this year, mostly about expired drugs. Action against offenders can be taken if customers insist on a bill with the name and address of the pharmacy”, he said.