Sleeping pills and antidepressants found stolen from medical college

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Medicines classified as narcotic drugs were stolen from ward 14 of medical college hospital in the early hours of Saturday. Following a complaint from the hospital authorities, the medical college police have registered a case and launched an investigation.

The theft was when the nurses were distributing medicines that had been brought from the hospital pharmacy to patients in the ward. The exact quantity of the stolen medicines has not yet been determined. The missing drugs reportedly include sleeping pills as well as medications prescribed for depression and anxiety. The stolen medicines are required to be kept under strict security in a double-lock storage system.

Since the stolen drugs fall under the narcotics category, using them without a doctor's prescription could have serious health consequences. The hospital's security officer filed the complaint with the police. The health department believes there was a security lapse in the incident. The police are reported to have obtained hints regarding the suspect.