The Vigilance Department is seeking an explanation from the health department over ‘non-standard’ medicines in Delhi government hospitals
Delhi LG on Saturday recommended a CBI probe into the alleged procurement and supply of ‘non-standard’ drugs in Delhi government hospitals.
Delhi Government Hospitals: On Saturday, December 23, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged procurement and supply of ‘non-standard’ drugs in Delhi government hospitals run by Arvind Kejriwal led government of Delhi.
Delhi’s Special Vigilance Branch on Sunday went further to write to the Health Minister over the “substandard quality” medicines being supplied in Delhi government hospitals, asking him to clarify the quantum of payments made so far to companies and manufacturers.
“You are requested to ensure that all such drugs which do not meet the prescribed standards are immediately qualified and seized according to the legal process on a war footing,” the letter said.
“Secondly, you are requested to take care of the following; 1. That no further payments will be made to such companies. 2. That all failed medicines be immediately identified and removed from the stock of all hospitals where such medicines have been supplied, to ensure that the general public is not administered with such ‘substandard quality medicines’. It may also clarify since when these medicines are procured and supplied,” it added.
The letter further read: “It is also requested that clarification be provided as to the amount of payments made to these companies and manufacturers to date and how many payments are still pending. In addition, you are requested to immediately take possession of all documents relating to the procurement of medicines, including tender documents and files relating thereto, and hand over the original copy thereof to the Directorate of Vigilance.”
“You are also requested to provide terms and conditions for appointment of dealers/distributors for execution of supply in respect of the above-mentioned failed drugs. The report on the action taken may be submitted within 48 hours,” it added.
As mentioned, Delhi’s LG VK Saxena on Saturday recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged procurement and supply of ‘non-standard’ drugs in Delhi government hospitals, which was indicated by the Raj Niwas officials who said that added in a note. Addressing Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, the Lieutenant Governor said it is worrying that these medicines are being given to millions of patients.
To this, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai told PTI that the government will come up with a detailed response and alleged that there is an attempt to hamper the work of the government through such investigations.
“I went through the file with a feeling of great concern. I am, to say the least, anguished by the fact that lakhs of unfortunate people and patients are being given fake medicines that do not meet quality standards. These drugs, procured by the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) under the Delhi Health Services (DHS), were supplied to Delhi government hospitals and may have also been supplied to the Mohalla clinics.
“Tested by both government and private analysts/laboratories under the rules and legal provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, these have failed and are categorized as ‘Not of Standard Quality’. These drugs, procured by spending huge budgetary resources, pose a serious threat to public health and safety” and have the “potential to endanger lives of people,” said the Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s note to the Chief Secretary.
“On the face of it, apart from CPA-DHS and GNCTD, there are suppliers, manufacturers in other states and drug controllers in those states who are involved in this entire exercise,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said accordingly, as suggested in paragraph 35, since the Mohalla Clinics case has already been entrusted to the CBI, this case, which among other things also involves the supply of these failed ‘non-standard quality’ drugs to such clinics, could also be entrusted to the central agency, especially in light of the fact that the investigation therein involves multiple inter-state stakeholders, including CPA-DHS, GNCTD, suppliers/dealers, manufacturers in other states and other government agencies.”
The Directorate of Vigilance had submitted a report in this regard. There were complaints about sub-standard supply of medicines in Delhi government hospitals. Samples were then collected from government hospitals, Raj Niwas officials said.
(With input from the agency)