A surprise audit has found medicines worth around Tk 73,100 missing from Jahangirnagar University's (JU) Medical Centre within just ‘21 days’, raising serious concerns over the centre's medicine storage and inventory management.
The surprise audit, conducted by the university's Medicine Purchase Committee following complaints from students over the unavailability of medicines, found discrepancies involving 19,567 units of various medicines.
According to Assistant Comptroller Md Fakhrul Islam, member secretary of the Medicine Purchase Committee, the university purchased a fresh stock of medicines on July 1, including 9,000 tablets of Alatrol. However, committee members became suspicious after learning that the stock had reportedly run out within a short period.
Acting on the instruction of Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Muhammad Nazrul Islam, who also chairs the committee, committee member Prof Md Salekul Islam, Assistant Comptroller Md Fakhrul Islam and JU Central Students' Union (JUCSU) Health and Food Safety Secretary Hosne Mobarak carried out an unannounced inspection of the Medical Centre's medicine store.
The audit found that 4,645 Alatrol tablets, 912 Azithromycin tablets, 420 Ciprocin tablets, 5,000 Paracetamol tablets, 700 Tiemonium tablets, 2,500 Famotidine tablets, 990 Napron tablets, 200 Antanil tablets and 4,200 Domperidone tablets were missing. The total market value of the missing medicines is estimated at Tk 73,101.
Sources familiar with the matter said irregularities in medicine inventory management had continued for a long time, although no one had publicly raised the issue.
Deputy Registrar (Store) Nur-e-Kamal admitted the stock discrepancy, saying he keeps the store keys and personally distributes medicines but could not explain how the shortage occurred. He suggested reviewing CCTV footage to investigate the matter.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamsur Rahman said the store remains under the control of the Deputy Registrar and that he is not responsible for maintaining the medicine inventory.
Prof Md Salekul Islam said he had previously received complaints that the medicine distribution records did not match the actual supply.
"We found significant discrepancies during the inspection. We will submit a report to the university administration, which will take the necessary action," he said.
Prof Muhammad Nazrul Islam said he had repeatedly received complaints about medicine shortages despite adequate procurement.
"That's why I ordered the audit. We found major irregularities, and an emergency meeting will be held on Sunday to decide legal and disciplinary action against those responsible in accordance with university regulations," he said.