-Food and Drug Dept. yet to respond

THE Regional Administration of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) is yet to dispose of expired medical drugs that have been stored since 2016.
Although the expired drugs are stored separately from the drugs that are distributed, the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of the region, Denis Jaikarran said they are occupying space that could be used for other purposes.

“We still have expired drugs in the region but not in the system,” said Regional Health Officer (RHO) of Region Three, Ravindra Doodnauth during his explanation to the PAC on Monday.

According to information from the region, 213 items of expired drugs with an approximate value of $5.416 million were noted at the West Demerara Regional Hospital and seven health centres within the region.

The RHO said a letter was written to the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GAF-DD) on August 21, 2017, requesting the removal and destruction of expired drugs.
“There has been no response from the GAF-DD up to today,” said Doodnauth, adding that expired drugs and medical supplies are recorded in the expired drug ledger until they are verified and destroyed by the department.

PAC member, Nigel Dharamlall questioned whether the expired drugs could end up in the system and be distributed, but the RHO assured the committee that the drugs are stored properly and cannot be distributed.