Bad News Coming From Palembang, Many Expired Medicines Are Sold At Pharmacies

JAKARTA - Bad news emerged from Palembang, South Sumatra. In a number of pharmacies in the city, it turns out that there are still many who sell drugs that are no longer suitable for public consumption.

That's why the Deputy Mayor of Palembang, Fitrianti Agustinda, held a surprise inspection (sidak) at pharmacies to control the circulation of expired and illegal drugs without distribution permits.

Inspection activities with the National Center for Drug and Food Control (BBPOM) team carried out in recent months will be further encouraged in 2022 to ensure drugs sold in pharmacies are in accordance with regulations and are safe for public health.

According to him, during inspections at pharmacies in the last few months, it is still common to find drugs for sale that do not have a distribution permit, their distribution permit has expired, and either consumed or expired.

Seeing the facts on the ground, his party continues to carry out enforcement activities to provide protection to the public so that they avoid taking drugs that can endanger health.

In the inspection activity, pharmacies found selling illegal and expired drugs were confiscated and the managers were given a stern warning as a coaching action.

For pharmacies that have not been investigated, the manager is advised to check that the goods sold have a distribution permit and have a long time limit for proper consumption.

If during the inspection activities it is found that the pharmacy has made repeated mistakes, it will not hesitate to revoke its business license and take the matter to law, said Fitrianti Agustinda as reported by Antara, Wednesday, December 8.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Palembang BBPOM Inspection Division, Aquirina Leonora, said that an inspection of the latest pharmacy was carried out on Monday (6/12) with the findings of expired medicinal products and their distribution permits had expired.

Products that have expired are confiscated, while those whose distribution permits have expired are advised to the pharmacy manager to return them to the producers so that they are encouraged to apply for permits according to the provisions.

To prevent the public from consuming drugs that are not fit for consumption, it is advised to be careful before buying by checking packaging, labels, distribution permits, and the time limit for good consumption/expiration period.