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Health Ministry tells public hospitals to use huge quantities of drugs about to expire
View(s):The Health Ministry’s Medical Supplies Division (MSD) has issued several circulars alerting hospitals to a large number of medications—including donations—that are about to expire, urging that they be used “as much as possible prior to expiry” to minimise wastage.
The Sunday Times has reported that Sri Lanka, during the economic crisis, received large quantities of medicines and medical devices as donations. They included non-formulary medication, and some had short-expiry dates.
According to published scientific research, low- and middle-income countries struggle with disposing of large stocks of outdated pharmaceuticals, many of which were donations.
Analysis of publicly available circulars issued by the MSD showed that the problem of donated short-expiry drugs cropped up repeatedly throughout last year.
In November 2023, the Health Ministry decided that all pharmaceutical drugs and devices donated to Sri Lanka must have six months of validity at the time of arrival in the country. It was also ruled that drugs and devices in pre-packed pallets would only be accepted provided the majority of items within were deemed “essential” by the health sector.
Circulars issued throughout last month show that a large quantity of drugs is now close to expiry. The instructions state that several short-expiry items are available at the MSD, that some were received as donations, and that stocks are accumulating at MSD making a risk of expiration [sic].
Some circulars also state that underutilisation of medicines without justifiable specific reasons—quality issue or hypersensitivity reactions—may lead to wastage and many managerial issues. Hospital directors are advised to give instructions to relevant officials to use the medicines for needy patients “as much as possible before expiry”.
Among the drugs described as non-priority donations are blood thinners; methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta injection is used to treat anaemia in adults with chronic kidney disease; and isotretinoin, an oral prescription medication used to treat severe acne.
Non-formulary medications include labetalol hydrochloride injections used to lower blood pressure; phenylephrine injections for low blood pressure; and olmesartan medoxomil, also for hypertension patients.
Five circulars were issued last month in relation to “non-moving/slow-moving/short-expiry and donation drugs.”
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