The Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) authorities submitted a report in this regard before the High Court bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Mahmud Hassan Talukder on Monday.

Tk 7.26 crore was realised in fine during the period, according to the report.

Besides,  a total of 1437 cases were filed during the period.

Deputy Attorney General ABM Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar represented the state.

The HC asked the DGDA to submit the final report of the drives against expired and adulterated drugs within the next three months, said ABM Abdullah.

The High Court on June 18, 2019  asked the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to remove expired medicines from pharmacy shelves across the country and destroy those within 30 days.

The court also asked the relevant authorities to take action against those involved in preserving and selling expired medicines and submit a progress report in this regard.

On June 10, last year, Manjur Mohammad Shahrier, director general of Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection's (DNCRP), said 93 percent pharmacies in the capital kept date-expired drugs. The report was published in different newspapers the following day.

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Supreme Court lawyer Mahfuzur Rahman Milon, on behalf of Justice Watch Foundation, filed a writ petition with the High Court after attaching the reports published in national dailies on June 17 of that year.

The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the ineffectiveness of the defendant should not be declared illegal.

Secretaries to the Home Ministry, Health and Family Welfare Ministry, Law Ministry, Commerce Ministry, Industries Ministry, director general of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), director general of Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) and director general of Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection's (DNCRP), its deputy director, IGP, president of Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) and its general secretary have been made respondents to the rule.

According to the report published in daily newspapers on June 10, 2019, Manjur Mohammad Shahrier, director general of Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection's (DNCRP), said 93 percent pharmacies in Dhaka keep date-expired medicines.

He made the remarks while speaking at a programme at Khamarbari arranged by Bangladesh Supermarket Owners Association marking ‘World Food Safety Day’.