8 tonnes of expired medicine torched in Nangarhar

JALALABAD (PAN): Eight tonnes of substandard and expired medicines were set alight in Jalalabad, the capital of eastern Nangarhar province, on Wednesday, an official said.

The medicine worth 7.5 million afghanis ($0.15 million) had been seized from 65 stores with support from pharmaceutical companies, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), police and the Attorney General’s Office.

Public Health Director Dr. Baaz Muhammad Sherzad told Pajhwok Afghan News another 10 tonnes of medicine captured by customs officials during checks would also be burnt in the near future.

“We have warned chemists and druggists of cancelling their licences and sealing their shops if they are found selling low-quality or expired medicine,” he added.

The Institute of Medical Sciences could train pharmacists and the problem could be solved if all the 600 owners of medical sores were trained, the director hoped.  

Residents praised the step taken by the department and hoped the campaign would continue.  “Medical store owners are putting the lives of people at risk,” said Imranullah, a resident of the third police district. He urged druggists to avoid selling expired and substandard medicine.

mas/ma/mud