JEDDAH, 29 January 2006 — Health inspectors have found a considerable quantity of outdated medicines at a government hospital pharmacy, Al-Riyadh Arabic daily reported yesterday without naming the negligent hospital.
Inspectors of the heath affairs department also found outdated medicines in first-aid kits ready to use at the hospital, the paper said.
The inspectors were not happy with the performance of the health care department at the Health Ministry, which is in charge of organizing pharmacies.
They pointed out that the department lacked adequate funds, manpower and facilities to carry out its mission in the right manner.
The department has failed to supply adequate quantity of medicines to hospitals and health centers and do not provide rightful places to store medicines, the daily said quoting informed sources.
Inspectors also found that many government hospital pharmacies were not having generators to support their refrigerators in case of a power outage.
