Pharmacies in the capital sell expired morphine, patients without a solution

It is not surprising that some drugs are not in stock at UCCK clinics.

Another complaint that this time there is a shortage of morphine at the Oncology Clinic has reached the Dukagjini editorial office, and this time, patients are being forced to obtain it from private pharmacies.

But in the latter, not according to standards.

My parent has had pancreatic cancer for a year, for several months I have been giving him morphine injections for pain because he has extreme pain, only morphine calms him down for 4-5 hours. He has not been in Oncology for at least two months, I have been buying it regularly and for 1 week I have not been able to buy it anymore, 2-3 pharmacies that have a narcotics license have expired morphine left and are selling it. They told me that without selling these, we cannot supply him with more, meaning that I am left with no solution to stop my parent's pain in Kosovo. – Complainant – family member of a patient at the Oncology Clinic

Photos sent to the editorial office show that the morphine, purchased on September 3 at the "Melisa" pharmacy in Ulpiana - Pristina, had an expired date dating back to August of this year.

Most guidelines from WHO and healthcare organizations emphasize that expired medicines should not be used.

The television station also contacted the pharmacy owner, but he had an unprofessional excuse, allegedly saying that the product could be used even after the expiration date.

I am authorized for these. Until the end of August I had them, I think they are spent. I did not have morphine. It is possible that someone took them, but it is not a health risk… He took them knowingly. But after August 28-30 I did not have them. After the 30th I did not have them. I do not know, maybe he asked for the coupon and then forgot to take it, because at the end of August I did not have morphine. – Rexhep Hasani, owner of the “Melisa” pharmacy

The television station is interested in receiving a response from the Kosovo Agency for Medical Products and Equipment, which has stated that all medicines, including narcotic drugs, must be used within the expiration date.

Among other things, the KMA has emphasized that there are 11 pharmacies in the capital licensed to sell this narcotic and that details on cases of this nature can be obtained from the Inspectorate within the Ministry of Health.

The Pharmaceutical Inspectorate, based on its annual planning, has also planned inspections of entities that are licensed to operate with narcotics.

So far, the Pharmaceutical Inspectorate, during the inspections carried out according to the plan, has not encountered the dispensing of expired narcotic products. Also, according to the data held in the Pharmaceutical Inspectorate's database, no complaints have been received regarding the dispensing of expired narcotic products.

From the beginning of this year until 31.08.2025, 1,667 inspections were carried out in the private and public sectors, while violations were found in 291 inspections, where punitive measures were taken according to the legal provisions in force. -Pharmaceutical Inspectorate - Ministry of Health

The Inspectorate has stated that it does not have an electronic system for registering and monitoring controlled drugs in pharmacies.