Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, who was conducting a surprise inspection of the institute, ordered for a probe into the matter.
LUCKNOW: Over 2.4 lakh medicines that had expired long ago, were on Thursday discovered to be lying in the medicine store of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) by deputy chief minister (DyCM) Brajesh Pathak himself. Pathak, who was conducting a surprise inspection of the institute, ordered for a probe into the matter. The inquiry is to be taken forward by medical education secretary GS Priyadarshi. "I asked for a list of the medicines available at the RMLIMS's store. It was then known that more than 2.4 lakh medicines were allowed to reach their expiration date and were not used," said Pathak. "As per rule, unused medicines are to be returned to the companies concerned before their expiry date. But this process was completely ignored by the store in-charge as well as the medicine procurement in-charge of RMLIMS. This has caused huge loss to the state exchequer. I have ordered an inquiry and action will be taken against those at fault," he added. Pathak also inspected medical and treatment facilities at the institute and expressed satisfaction. He met patients and their attendants as he sat down on the floor to make inquiries from elderly women attendants.