HAVERI: In a shocking discovery, over 1.5 lakh expired folic acid tablets—valued in lakhs—were found dumped along a road leading to Kanakapura village, near the District Hospital in Haveri on Saturday. The tablets, long past their expiry dates, were discarded in a soil mound, triggering anger and concern among locals.
Residents questioned the Health Department’s negligence, especially amid widespread complaints that government hospitals routinely direct poor patients to buy medicines from private shops. “Now we find stock worth lakhs discarded like garbage. What about the patients who are told nothing is available?” said Abdul Hubballi, a local social worker, demanding a thorough investigation and legal action.
Folic acid is essential for producing red blood cells, preventing anaemia, supporting brain health, and ensuring safe pregnancies. The careless disposal raised fears about potential harm to animals who may ingest the tablets.
District drug control officer Sanganna Silli and taluk medical officer Dr Prabhakar Kundur inspected the site. Dr Kundur stated that the origin of the tablets would be traced via batch records, and action would be taken against those responsible.
According to District Health Officer Dr Rajesh Suragihalli, the tablets were manufactured in 2008 and expired in 2010, belonging to three different batches stored in 16–17 boxes. He suspects the medicines were brought in from another location, and confirmed a police complaint is being considered. An official report has been ordered.