23 Helmand pharmacies shut for selling expired drugs

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): The Public Health Department in southern Helmand province has shut 23 pharmacies for selling expired medicine, an official said on Thursday.

Maulvi Mohammad Qasim Riaz, deputy director of information and culture, told Pajhwok Afghan News a commission formed by the Public Health Department had monitored 218 pharmacies in the past two days.

He said representatives of the provincial government, intelligence, police headquarter and municipality were part of the commission, which also included a public health law review team.

As a result of the monitoring process, the official said, 23 drug stores were closed for selling expired medicine.

The commission also seized about four tonnes of expired drugs, Riaz said.

Earlier, the director of public health had told Pajhwok about 40 private clinics had been closed in this province over writing patients code-based prescription.

kk/mud