Dhaka: 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.
According to United News of Bangladesh, 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.
Assistant Comptroller Md Fakhrul Islam, member secretary of the Medicine Purchase Committee, stated that the university purchased a fresh stock of medicines on July 1, including 9,000 tablets of Alatrol. However, suspicions arose after the stock reportedly depleted within a short period.
Under the instruction of Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Muhammad Nazrul Islam, who 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 conducted an unannounced inspection of the Medical Centre’s medicine store.
The audit revealed 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 indicated that irregularities in medicine inventory management had been ongoing for a long time, although the issue had not been publicly addressed.
Deputy Registrar (Store) Nur-e-Kamal acknowledged the stock discrepancy, admitting he holds the store keys and distributes medicines but could not explain the shortage. He suggested reviewing CCTV footage to investigate further.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamsur Rahman mentioned the store is under the Deputy Registrar’s control, absolving himself of responsibility for maintaining the medicine inventory.
Prof Md Salekul Islam had previously received complaints about discrepancies between medicine distribution records and 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 stated that repeated complaints had been received 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.