Pune Pharmacist Under Probe for Supplying Expired Actrapid Insulin, Wrong Tablets to Patient
Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched an inquiry against a pharmacist at Late Nathuram Shankar Marathe Hospital, Kothrud, after a patient alleged that he was supplied an expired vial of Actrapid FlexPen insulin and given magnesium tablets instead of the prescribed vitamin D3 supplement.
As per a recent media report in the Hindustan Times, the incident, which occurred on October 18, 2025, involved patient Prakash Shelar, an organ transplant recipient, and pharmacist Devdhar Valvi, who was on duty at the hospital’s dispensary.
Officials stated that the expired insulin vial was discovered just in time by the patient before use, preventing a possible medical emergency. Following the complaint, PMC’s Health Department initiated a formal investigation into the matter. Health chief Dr Nina Borade confirmed that the pharmacist had accepted responsibility for the error. Pending inquiry, he has been transferred to Dr Homi Baba Hospital and Maternity Home in Shivajinagar, and his annual increment has been withheld until further notice.
Preliminary findings have revealed that all medicines supplied to civic hospitals are procured through the Central Medical Stores (CMS) located in Gadikhana. However, the batch number of the expired insulin vial was not listed among medicines distributed by CMS during the past year. Officials also noted that the manufacturer had discontinued production of that batch two months earlier, raising concerns about how it reached the hospital’s pharmacy.
The PMC has instructed its inquiry team to expedite the investigation and submit a detailed report. Senior officials warned that strict disciplinary action, including suspension or termination, would be taken if evidence confirms negligence or malpractice.
The Hindustan Times reports that the civic body is also reviewing its drug procurement and supply chain protocols to identify gaps in traceability and strengthen safety checks, ensuring that expired or unauthorized batches do not enter hospital stock in the future.
