Expired Medications
LAHORE: A significant controversy has emerged at Mayo Hospital Lahore’s oncology department, where cancer patients were reportedly administered expired medications.
In response to the scandal, health authorities have taken immediate action by confiscating the expired drugs and re-admitting some of the discharged patients to prevent any potential harm to their health.
Following the revelation of the scam, hospital administration quickly located three of the patients who had been discharged and brought them back into the oncology ward.
These patients were promptly examined by a team of senior doctors, including oncologists, to assess any potential impact on their health from the expired medications.
Sources indicate that the hospital’s senior management and relevant medical staff were initially unaware of the exact number of patients who received the expired drugs. Investigations are ongoing to identify all affected patients and determine the full extent of the issue.
Prof. Dr. Ayaz Mahmood, Vice Chancellor of King Edward Medical University (KEMU), confirmed the administration of expired medications to cancer patients at Mayo Hospital.
In response, the hospital management has suspended two storekeepers for negligence, and a five-member committee has been established to investigate the matter.
The committee includes Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Butt, Dr. Qazi Mumtaz, Deputy Nursing Superintendent Ms. Tahira Khatoon, Senior Pharmacist Sadia Khalid, and Audit Officer Mohammad Hifzan.
Dr. Mahmood reported that the affected patients underwent various diagnostic tests, including ECGs, to evaluate their health.
Fortunately, no life-threatening side effects have been detected so far, as the ECG results were normal. However, some additional test results are still pending to complete the investigation.
In the meantime, a team of public health experts, including pharmacists, conducted a raid on Mayo Hospital’s store and other relevant sections, seizing the expired cancer medications. Samples of these drugs have been sent to laboratories for further analysis.
An anonymous official alleged that the hospital authorities are attempting to cover up the incident, failing to disclose details about how and when the expired drugs were administered.
The official also noted that the hospital appears reluctant to gather data on all affected patients, possibly to avoid criticism from the Punjab Chief Minister.
This incident follows a troubling pattern of similar cases, including a recent episode in Khanewal where minor patients reportedly died due to reactions from expired antibiotics, leading to police action and widespread agitation among healthcare workers.
Additionally, a drug reaction in September 2023 severely affected the eyesight of many patients in Lahore, Kasur, and other regions, resulting in the suspension of numerous drug inspectors and officials.
The government has since banned the manufacture and supply of the faulty medicines while investigations continue.
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