Nadia, 19 September (H.S.): A controversy erupted at Shantipur State General Hospital on Saturday morning following allegations that expired medicines were being supplied from the hospital’s fair-price medicine shop. Following complaints from patients’ relatives and local residents, the shop was temporarily closed.

According to reports, a woman identified as Chandana Saha had visited Shantipur hospital with her child around two days ago. On the advice of a doctor, she purchased medicines from the fair-price pharmacy located on the hospital premises.

After opening the medicine packet at home, the family allegedly noticed that some of the tablets were broken into pieces. They also claimed that the medicines had an unusual smell, raising concerns about their quality and expiry status.

The matter came to light on Saturday, following which patients’ relatives and local residents gathered at the hospital and raised complaints against the pharmacy. The shop was subsequently closed for the time being.

However, employees of the pharmacy said they had not received any written order from the hospital superintendent or the concerned authorities directing them to close the shop. They said the outlet was being kept closed temporarily following complaints from members of the public.

Hospital Superintendent Tarak Barman said the matter would be examined. The actual condition and validity of the medicines will have to be verified through an investigation before the allegations can be established.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey