Issue of Relabelling of old and expired medicines raised in Parliament, MOS Health Responds

Giving a written response to the questions put forth, the minister informed that a representation regarding expired medicines being relabelled as unexpired and sold in the country was received. Subsequently, a Writ Petition has also been filed in this regard in the High Court of Delhi.

New Delhi: The Minister Of State in The Ministry Of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey recently answered significant questions raised in the Rajya Sabha regarding old and expired medicines that are being reused with a new expiry date.

Using Old and expired medicines by repackaging and relabelling has become rampant with many such instances coming to light recently. The worrying issue became a matter of discussion in the parliament as well with the MOS health being asked to submit a written answer on what the government is doing to tackle this mence

The query was raised by Dr T. Subbarami Reddy during a parliamentary session. Dr Reddy asked about the actions being taken by the Drug Controller General of India in case of reuse of old and expired drugs with a new expiry date. In view of such malpractice affecting the health of patients, Dr Reddy further asked about the surprise inspection and monitoring being made from time to time in order to prevent such incidents.

Giving a written response to the questions put forth, the minister informed that a representation regarding expired medicines being relabelled as unexpired and sold in the country was received. Subsequently, a Writ Petition has also been filed in this regard in the High Court of Delhi.

The manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs in the country is regulated under the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 thereunder through a system of licensing and inspection, the minister informed.

Further, he mentioned that the licenses for manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs are granted by the State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) appointed by respective State Governments. The licensee is required to comply with all the conditions of the licence.

One of the conditions of licence states that no drug shall be sold or stocked by the licensee after the date of expiration of potency recorded on its container, label or wrapper, or in violation of any statement or direction recorded on such container, label or wrapper.

He further added that the SLAs are legally empowered to take stringent action against violation of provisions of the Act and Rules.

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