A stock of substandard and unregistered animal medicines weighing 1,090 kilogrammes and worth nearly Rs. 3 million has been destroyed following a joint raid conducted by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) and the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH) on August 9.
The medicines, which had not been registered with the DAPH and did not meet the required standards, were seized during the raid.
Authorities warned that the use of substandard medicines on animals could pose risks not only to animal health and life but also to consumers of animal products such as meat, milk and eggs.
The incident was found to be a violation of Section 17 of the Animal Diseases Act.
The manufacturer was summoned for questioning and admitted to the offence. He also provided an affidavit acknowledging that the medicines had been illegally manufactured and distributed.
The entire stock was subsequently destroyed at the Kerawalapitiya clinical waste disposal facility under the supervision of CAA and DAPH officials. The manufacturer also bore the full cost of destroying the medicines.
The CAA urged the public to check whether medicines, vitamins and animal feed purchased for pets or farm animals are registered with the DAPH and to verify their manufacturing and expiry dates.
Consumers were also advised to purchase only properly labelled products that meet the required standards. (Newswire)