Illegally imported infusion sets pose hazards to public health

A large quantity of illegally imported infusion sets has entered the local market posing a serious threat to public health.
A section of importers have brought the infusion sets from China without approval of the authorities concerned, sources said.
Nearly 600 consignments of infusion sets were imported from January 2012 to September 15, 2013 by 158 importers, according to customs intelligence sources.  
Both the customs and drug administration authorities are responsible for release of the illegally imported infusion sets and their sale in local market.
The infusion sets is one of the widely used medical items in hospital for pushing saline or blood. Import of the item needs approval of the drug administration to protect public health.
Such unauthorised import of the medical equipment raised concern over the health safety among the general people, physicians and health ministry.    
After investigation the customs intelligence wing has found infusion sets worth Tk 163 million entered through different ports in Bangladesh.
In the investigation report, directorate of customs intelligence and inspection recommended a four-point measure to take further steps by the authorities concerned.
It recommended proper verification of drug administration's approval before release of such products from customs stations.
The customs wing suggested the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to take legal steps on release of products through 598 bills of entry. It also recommended that the customs houses maintain proper communication through e-mail with drug administration about the import approval.
In the report, customs intelligence blamed the drug administration for its reluctance to monitor use and sale of medical equipments in drug stores, clinics and hospitals.
It recommended proper steps against the officials who were empowered to oversee the matter.
"Infusion set is a sensitive medical equipment that needs approval of the drug administration department as per import policy-2012. It is a restricted product according to the policy," the investigation report said.
In July 2013, the customs intelligence wing unearthed illegally imported medical equipment by three importers.
"R.S Impex, Chattagram Bhaban (7th floor), 32, Topkhana Road, Dhaka, M.M Trade International, 08, D.I. T Avenue, Monjor Bhaban (4th floor), Dhaka and Masud Incorporation, 273/A, Musa Market (1st floor), New Chaktai, Chittagong imported the item without approval of the authority," according to the investigation report.
After verifying the matter with the information from drug administration, the customs intelligence has launched the investigation on suspicion of illegal import of the equipment.
The wing scrutinised import data of infusion sets from January 2012 to August 2013 and found some 158 importers imported the set worth Tk 930 million through 598 bills of entry. A total of Tk 160 million in taxes is involved in the illegally imported infusion sets.
According to the existing rule, the drug administration has to scrutinise the manufacturing countries, quality of product, price, records of producers before issuance of the approval on import of infusion sets or other medical equipment.
"It could be harmful for public health as the equipment is being used directly in human body. The equipment should be imported from the selective brands and producers authorized by drug administration," the report said.  
Moinul Khan, Director General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Department, fear that the imported items were substandard as the importers bypassed the authority to import those.
It is also the responsibility of both customs and drug administration to monitor the import, he said.
Those illegal infusion sets are available in local market since 2012 within the knowledge of the drug administration, he added.
A senior health ministry official said JMI, Opsonin and other local companies are producing the infusion sets to meet local demand.
Usually, Drug Administration discourages import of the item as it is locally available, he said.
On the findings, the official said health ministry is aware of the unauthorized import and has already taken legal action against this practice.
A physician of Dhaka Medical Collage Hospital (DMCH), Saiful Hassan Shamim said infusion set is the most used medical equipment in the hospitalised patients.
"Infection can spread easily with the substandard infusion sets. We do not sterilise it as it is mentioned as sterilised in the packet," he added.
Physicians prefer good quality infusion sets for use on a patient for two to three times with saline to save medical cost, he said.