More than 3.3 tons of expired medicines, as well as medical and hygiene products, have been destroyed in Khatlon province, Shaikhakhtam Saydullozoda, an employee of the Khatlon Agency for Health Supervision and Social Protection, told Asia-Plus in an interview, noting that their total value is estimated at approximately 250,000 somonis.

According to him, part of these medicines and products were handed over for disposal by pharmaceutical companies and medical centers.  The rest were discovered and confiscated during inspections of pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, and medical institutions by Agency specialists.

In total, approximately 3,331 kilograms of medicines, medical, therapeutic, and cosmetic products were burned and destroyed, Saydullozoda noted.

It is worth recalling that two years ago, Tajikistan adopted a law on medicines, medical products, and pharmaceutical activities, which strengthened control over medications and hygiene products.

The law aims to promote domestic medicine production, improve the quality control and testing of medications, ensure public access to quality pharmaceuticals, and strengthen penalties or compensate for harm caused by the use of substandard drugs.

Despite these measures, complaints from citizens about the poor quality of medicines and the sale of expired products continue to surface.