‘93pc pharmacies in Dhaka sell expired drugs’

Expired drugs are sold in 93 per cent of the pharmacies in Dhaka city, said the deputy director of the Directorate of National Consumers’ Rights Protection, Manjur Mohammad Shahriar. 

He was speaking at an event organised by Bangladesh Supermarket Owners’ Association on the occasion of World Safe Food Day on Monday at Khamarbari in the capital city.

He said that many establishments have been fined under the consumers’ protection act for stocking medicines beyond expiration date and some of the establishments had been temporarily shut down.
Manjur said the directorate has formed teams to monitor the market in order to prevent such violations.

World Safe Food Day is observed on 7 June. The private sector in Bangladesh is observing the day for the first time through Bangladesh Supermarket Owners’ Association, with the supermarkets were holding a week-long service week.

Also speaking on the occasion, Bangladesh Supermarket Owners’ Association president Niaz Rahim said, Bangladesh is now self-sufficient in food due to the various programmes taken up by the government. While there is no fear of food crisis, the major challenge now is to ensure safe food.

It was pointed out at the event that 420,000 people died every year around the world due to food-borne diseases. This also led to huge financial losses. The speakers stressed that all quarters, including the consumers, had to be alert in this regard.