Usable medicines dumped in Ganderbal canal, spark health scare

Srinagar, Jun 28: In a shocking incident, numerous cartons of medicines, still within their use-by-date, were found dumped in a canal in Gundrehman area of Ganderbal district, posing a serious health risk to the local population and raising suspicions over the reason for the mass disposal.

The J&K Drug Controller’s office is investigating the matter, while the local Chief Medical Officer (CMO) shrugged off any responsibility stating the leaching of pharma compounds into water consumed by people was not their “domain”.

The incident came to the fore when the locals in the area discovered a large cache of medicines in a canal, the water of which is utilised for irrigation purposes.

The incident highlights the utter disregard for the safe disposal of bio-active compounds and public health in J&K.

A local in the area said that the medicines had been dumped and might have gotten mixed with water.

“What will happen to the health of people and the environment of this region if we get exposed to pharmaceuticals like this?” he said.

The person, identifying himself as Abdul Rashid said children were playing with the dumped medicines when these were discovered.

“We have no idea what these are and what they could do to our children,” he said.

Another local whose video was widely circulated over media questioned the impact of reckless dumping of medicines into water bodies.

“If this medicine enters our water chain, imagine what will happen to the population in this area,” he said.

The disposal of medicines in the water body raised eyebrows as these were reportedly well within the date of expiry.

“Are these spurious medicines that are being dumped? Are these substandard?” a local said, questioning why someone would deliberately undergo a financial loss like this. “Something must be wrong with these medicines.”

Assistant Controller Drugs, Dr Shabir, said a team was on the spot to investigate and get more details that would help in identifying the persons behind the mass dumping.

“We are looking from all angles,” he said.

Dr Shabir said the team would collect evidence and get the dumped medicines cleared.

CMO Ganderbal, Dr Bashir Khan washed his hands off the responsibility stating that medicines found in a water canal were not the responsibility of his department.

“Ask the Drug Department and Jal Shakti Department,” he said.

When asked if it concerned him that the water contaminated by bio-active compounds was a health hazard for people, he repeated, “It is not my domain.”