NAGPUR, 9 SEPT: Dr R Ramakrishna, deputy drugs controller (India), west zone, Mumbai, has ordered a probe into the supply of expired drugs by a UK-based NGO Worldwide Veterinary Services (WVS) in Nagpur.

Taking a serious note of TOI report on September 6 stating that WVS supplied expired drugs to National Association for Animal Welfare and Research (NAWAR), Nagpur, the official directed A T Nikhade, joint director, Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Nagpur, to probe the incident.

Sources said Ramakrishna has also asked assistant drug controllers with air cargo complex at Mumbai and Hyderabad to probe how port inspectors allowed the expired drugs into India. Nikhade confirmed he received directions from the deputy drugs controller's office about the probe. However, he expressed helplessness on proposed action as no sale-purchase was involved.

Nikhade said drug inspector (investigations) S K Nandekar recorded statements of Dr Ajay Poharkar, secretary of NAWAR, that received the consignment. All communication between him and the WVS over e-mail has also been collected and will be submitted to Ramakrishna's office. "The list of expired drugs has been prepared and the consignment will be sent to the deputy drugs controller along with the report on Friday," said Nikhade.

Source: Times of India