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Doctors warn expired drugs risk toxicity, treatment failure
Bengaluru: Doctors have warned that expired medicines, while not always immediately toxic, can cause serious harm including treatment failure and organ damage, after police seized expired drugs worth Rs 35 lakh from…
Bengaluru: Doctors have warned that expired medicines, while not always immediately toxic, can cause serious harm including treatment failure and organ damage, after police seized expired drugs worth Rs 35 lakh from a farmhouse in Bidadi. High-alert medications used in ICUs, chemotherapy drugs and certain cardiac medicines can become toxic after expiry, according to Dr Preema Khan of KIMS Hospitals. Expired antibiotics are especially concerning as reduced effectiveness may contribute to drug resistance.
The risk depends on the drug, formulation, storage conditions and patient health, said Dr Manohar KN of SPARSH Hospital. Heat, humidity and sunlight can degrade medicines even if they appear normal. Liquids, suspensions and eye drops are particularly vulnerable. Spurious or incorrectly labelled medicines carry additional risks such as wrong ingredients or contaminants, said Dr Aravinda SN of Aster RV Hospital. Patients suspecting they have taken expired or spurious medicines should seek medical advice and keep packaging details.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Bidadi seizure is the latest in a string of fake drug rackets in Karnataka, where expired medicines are often relabelled and resold, endangering patients who rely on chronic medications. While most drugs gradually lose potency rather than turn toxic, the risk is acute for ICU drugs, insulin and chemotherapy agents, where even minor potency loss can be fatal. The state drug control department is expected to investigate whether the seized stock was destined for hospitals or smaller clinics, where expiry tracking is often weaker. Patients should note that visible appearance is no guarantee of safety, and should always verify expiry before consuming any medicine.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
