CM’s Panel Didn’t Find Expired Medicine At The Hospital In Patiala

After a two member committee sent by chief minister Prakash Singh Badal for inspection of the stock for expired medicine has raised many questions as the committee came empty handed (no due date stock was found). The chief minister sent the committee after note of expired drugs being supplied at the Rajindra Hospital’s emergency ward.

The team was of Director Medical Education and Research Dr Tejveer Singh and Punjab Health Systems corporation (PHSC) managing director Husn Lal. Both confirmed there was no due date stock. They both stated all the stock they checked was fresh.

Though contrary to the claims by Medical Superintendent Dr V K Sharda the drugs that the media showed with expired dates had arrived via PHSC but the committee found the drugs were procured by the hospital.

Husn Lal confirmed this fact.

Staff nurse Parminder Kamboj has stood her word in front of the committee refused to accept expired medicine was kept in ward 1.

She also told the committee, in front of the media, the medicines that she objected to has been issued to her without her consent in the intent book at the Rajindra Hospital.

For the issuance of any medicine the staff nurse’s signature is compulsory, but the committee found the storekeeper Ripudamani’s sign instead.

Husn Lal has stated the news carried photos of expired medicine, this matter is serious. To sort out the stock books, details for purchased medicine and the issuance to the patients have been asked for. The MC is blaming the media.

He said that the media is trying to corrupt his image by flaunting such fake stories. He also alleged the images have been taken outside of the hospital because he does not entertain media inside the hospital.

The committee stands that the stock could have been changed. Fact this matter came to light on Monday and the committee came to inspect on Wednesday, hence there was enough time to shift or replace the stock.

As soon as the controversy rose the MC instantly took the keys from the staff nurse to the room where the expired stock was kept.

Husn Lal also stated the life saving drugs have been procured by the hospital and not PHSC, hence changing stock is easy. PhSC supplies always carry stamps. The local prescriptions did not have any mark.

The other question in the air is when the staff nurse does not require so much stock why was such a big sanction given out for big supply of medicine to which the hospital is mouth sealed.