By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 30: Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla on Saturday dismissed concerns over the recent recall of medicines supplied through the Meghalaya Medical Drugs and Services Limited (MMDSL), describing the incidents as isolated and largely linked to storage issues.
Responding to criticism from the medical community regarding the alleged supply of substandard drugs to government health institutions, Shylla maintained there have been no systemic lapses in procurement.
“From time to time, there are such instances; but it is not happening everywhere. In some cases, medicines remain unused in hospitals for a long period and due to improper storage conditions, issues may arise,” the health minister said.
Assuring that no unsafe medicines have caused serious harm to patients, he explained that because medicines are ordered in bulk, they are immediately returned if doctors raise concerns.
Addressing the latest recall of Iron and Folic Acid pink tablets, distributed under the National Health Mission’s Anaemia Mukt Bharat programme for children, Shylla clarified that these were supplied by the Union Ministry and not procured by MMDSL.
“The medicine that was recalled was not from MMDSL. It was supplied from the Ministry. When we were informed, we immediately reviewed the matter and returned the medicines, while also urging that such lapses should not happen again,” he said.
However, Health department sources and doctors have raised alarms over the timing of these recalls. They alleged that notices are frequently issued only after the drugs have been prescribed and dispensed, exposing medical professionals to legal and professional liability.
“What is most alarming is that doctors are often informed to stop using these medicines only after patients have already consumed them. This is no longer an isolated incident,” sources said.
On May 19, MMDSL Managing Director Ramakrishna Chitturi had directed storekeepers and pharmacists to halt the distribution of all batches of the specific tablets following quality concerns.
Sources within the department have called for stricter testing protocols to ensure drug quality before they reach hospitals and health centres across the state.
