Medicines worth lakhs allegedly dumped in Washim

Washim: Medicines worth lakhs of rupees purchased by the health department were allegedly found lying unattended and covered in dust inside a dilapidated cultural hall. Local sources claim the district health department was supposed to distributed the medicines to primary health centres and rural hospitals. The medicines reportedly include commonly needed drugs such as Chlorpheniramine (CPM), cough syrups, and other essentials meant to be provided free to economically weaker patients for ailments like cold, cough, fever, and calcium deficiency. Residents questioned how such costly stock could remain idle while patients visit health facilities seeking medicines, raising concerns about wastage, improper storage, and delayed supply. District health officer Pandurang Thombre said the medicines were procured as required and stored there in bulk, denying any misappropriation and stating the stock matched records. The incident has intensified calls for stricter monitoring and accountability.