The Medicine Sample

This happened to my good friend, Dr. S. M. Meena. He had gone to Baran, Rajasthan for giving expert medical evidence in a medico-legal case, in the District Judge (DJ) Court. The District Judge had become friendly with Dr. S. M. Meena as he had gone many times previously to the same court for giving evidences in medico-legal cases.

After his evidence was over, the Judge asked Dr. S. M. Meena to please give him some medicines for his ear-ache. He was having the ear-ache for some time, but due to his busy schedule, could not find time to go and consult some ENT specialist for it.

As, Dr. S. M. Meena was posted and living outside Baran at that time, he did not have any medicines with him. He remembered his senior, Dr. Prithviraj (fictional name) was having a roaring general medicine practice in the same town.

So, Dr. S. M. Meena, went to Dr. Prithviraj’s clinic and asked him to give some medicines from the samples provided by the Pharma companies’ representatives. Dr. Prithviraj searched through the samples to find some higher generation antibiotics, ear-drops and some pain-killer for the Judge Saab. Finally, finding some suitable medicines, Dr. Prithviraj gave them to Dr. S. M. Meena,

Dr. S. M. Meena immediately took the medicines to the Court and gave them to the Judge Saab with a feeling of mission completed successfully. The Judge took the medicines, thanked Dr. S. M. Meena profusely and looked at the medicines.

Suddenly with a stern look on his face the Judge demanded, ‘Dr. Meena, do you want to cure me or kill me?’ On hearing this, Dr. S. M. Meena was shocked. With a crest-fallen face he asked, ‘Sir, what is the problem?’ ‘What have I done to make you say such a thing?’

Pointing at the medicines, the Judge explained, ‘Look at the expiry date on these medicines. Both the antibiotics and ear-drops have passed the expiry dates months ago!’ Dr. S. M. Meena looked closely and indeed found this to be true.

The judge further enquired. ‘Where have you got this medicines?’ Dr. S. M. Meena replied, ‘I have got them from my senior Dr. Prithviraj.’ The judge ordered, ‘Call Dr. Prithviraj here immediately. I am registering a case against both of you for negligence and attempt to cause bodily harm by your action.’

Dr. S. M. Meena phoned Dr. Prithviraj, explained the goof-up which had occurred, and immediately called him to the Court. Rushing to the court, Dr. Prithviraj along with Dr. S. M. Meena, explained to the Judge that the mistake has occurred unintentionally, they had the best intentions in mind and such an error will not ever occur in future.

Suddenly with a smile the Judge said, ‘I understand that giving this expiry date passed medicines to me was unintentional mistake on your part. I just want to impress in your mind the problem which can occur if you had given these medicines to someone other than me. They may have not checked the expiry date on the medicines and used them and then blame any subsequent problems on you. Be vigilant in future and make sure such a thing never occurs in future.’

Dr. S. M. Meena and Dr. Prithviraj thanked the Judge Saab for letting them off the hook and departed the Court.

Dr. S. M. Meena and Dr. Prithviraj learned their lesson that day. Sometimes actions done with best intention can back-fire due to some small over-sight. They now very carefully check the expiry date before giving or receiving any medicines or samples.

(Based on true incident)

— NKD

© Author. All rights reserved. 

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purpose. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use of the information herein is at you one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Practice should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost. 


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