Kohima, September 18 (MExN): Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has expressed shock over the out-of-court settlement of a case concerning sale of expired medicine to a patient by a pharmacy in Kohima.
NVCO in a press release recollected that a salesperson of ‘Save A Life Pharmacy’ of Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) was arrested for selling expired medicine to a patient on September 13. It was alleged that a victim, a minor outdoor patient had bought medicine for dysentery from the pharmacy and after consuming it, the victim suffered severe vomiting.
The release issued by Press & Media Cell, NVCO accused that the district administration instead of checking pharmacies within its jurisdiction has gone ahead in settling the issue “which is already admitted and proved to be wrong.”
It wondered how the case already registered in a criminal court could be settled in the presence of district administration, hospital authority, and Angami Youth Organisation. The NVCO further questioned whether this is a case to be settled by the district administration or the court.
The NVCO also expressed displeasure at the manner in which NHAK apologized to the victim’s family and public stating that the “commission of the wrong act was unintentional.”
NVCO pointed out that it had extended support and appreciation to the victim’s family for boldly initiating a criminal case by filing an FIR (First Information Report) upon realizing that the medicine was expired. The organisation had also extended its appreciation to the Police personnel and drug inspector for the prompt action in sealing the said pharmacy after inspection.
“Selling expired goods is a serious violation of consumer rights under the Consumer Protection Act 1986 and selling expired medicine is more serious which is almost playing life where there are cases in the country that a consumer seriously fell ill or even die after consuming expired medicine,” NVCO asserted.
