In the wake of several allegations being made regarding a circular issued by the Ministry of Health that reportedly encourages hospitals to use ‘expired’ medicines, the ministry said that no such circular has been issued encouraging the health sector to do so, adding that the objective of the circular has been misinterpreted by critics.

In a press conference held yesterday (12), the Deputy Director General of Health Services (DDGHS) (Medical Supplies), Dr. G. Wijesuriya, told the media that these allegations made by certain parties, including trade unions attached to the health sector, would harm the people’s trust in the free healthcare system and would discourage them from coming to government hospitals. He also noted that the ministry would never encourage the hospitals to use ‘expired' medicines, noting however that they have been directed to use the stocks before those medicines expire in order to avoid the waste of drugs which is the main objective of the said circular. He further noted that the ministry always directs the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) and the hospitals to withdraw all expired and substandard medicines from stores. He also stated that releasing medicines to hospitals for use when those drugs are about to expire is a normal principle. “It does not mean that we encourage them to release expired medicines, but the drugs will take more time to expire,” he added.

However, it was reported recently that the MSD has issued certain circulars informing hospitals that a huge number of pharmaceuticals, including donations, are due to expire and thereby asking them to be used “as much as possible prior to expiry” so as to reduce waste.