Political slugfest has erupted between the AAP and the BJP, after Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena recommended a CBI inquiry into the alleged procurement and supply of “non-standard” drugs in Delhi government hospitals.
In a note to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, the Lt Governor mentioned that it is concerning that these medicines are being given to lakhs of patients. Drugs such as Amlodipine, Levetiracetam and Pantoprazole failed in both government as well as private labs. Further, Cephalexin, Dexamethasone failed in private labs.
According to Vigilance Department report, at least 10 percent sample lifted by the department failed in laboratory test and found to be spurious /not of standard quality. These drugs, procured by the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) under the Delhi Health Services (DHS), were supplied to Delhi government hospitals and may also have been supplied to the ‘Mohalla Clinics’, the Lt Governor said in his note. “It is with a sense of deep concern that I have perused the file. I am, to say the least, anguished at the fact that lakhs of hapless people and patients are being supplied fake drugs that have failed quality standard tests,” read the note to Kumar.
The move comes after, the Drug Controller under Health Department, GNCTD, on the basis of complaints regarding sub-standard medicines being supplied in Delhi Government hospitals, randomly collected the drug samples from these hospitals and sent them to the approved government and private labs for testing. There were complaints of sub-standard medicines being supplied in Delhi government hospitals. Subsequently, samples were collected from the government hospitals. The complainants said that these “frequently-used” medicines given in these hospitals were ineffective on the patients.
The reports of the labs were sent by the Drug Controller and the Department of Health for further necessary action to the Directorate of Vigilance (DoV). The DoV, based on test reports, found that more than 10% of the drug/medicine samples failed and were found to be “Not of standard quality”. According to the Vigilance Department, out of 43 samples that were sent to government labs, 3 samples failed the test as 12 reports are still pending. Further, out of another 43 samples sent to private labs, 5 samples failed. These drugs, procured by the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) under the Delhi Health Services (DHS), were supplied to Delhi government hospitals and may also have been supplied to the ‘Mohalla Clinics’, the Lt Governor said in his note.
“Tested by government as well as private analysts/laboratories as per rules and statutory provisions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, these have failed and are categorised as ‘Not of Standard Quality’,” he said.
Reacting to the development, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that after assuming office, he had directed an audit of the medicines procured, but no action was taken by the Health Secretary. He also demanded the suspension of the bureaucrat and other officials concerned. Delhi BJP, however, demanded the sacking of the Delhi health minister over the matter. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, MP Manoj Tiwari and Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri demanded resignation of health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj in the matter. Reacting to the development, Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely demanded the setting up of a medical board to look into the issue.
Saxena, in his note, also said that “these drugs procured by spending huge budgetary resources are a grave threat to public health and safety” and have the “potential of endangering lives of people”.
“Prima facie, apart from CPA-DHS, GNCTD, there are suppliers, manufacturers situated in other states and drug controllers in those states associated in this whole exercise,” he said. The Lt Governor said accordingly, as proposed at “Para 35, since the matter of ‘Mohalla Clinics’ is already entrusted to the CBI, this case, which may, inter alia, also involve supply of these failed ‘Not of Standard Quality’ drugs to such clinics, may also be entrusted to the central agency, especially in light of the fact that the investigation therein involves multi inter-state stakeholders including CPA- DHS, GNCTD, suppliers/dealers, manufacturers in other states and other state agencies”.
Addressing a press conference, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva attacked Bharadwaj. “We have the lab and vigilance report. The samples of the medicines being provided in the Delhi government hospitals have failed. We demand that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal immediately sack his health minister,” Sachdeva said.
Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri has welcomed the CBI investigation order regarding the supply of substandard medicines in government hospitals of Delhi. He said LG’s order is a step towards bringing the culprits in front of the people. The investigation of this case should be completed swiftly so that the impact of these substandard medicines can be revealed.
Bidhuri emphasized that the issue of substandard medicines is not only a matter of corruption but akin to jeopardizing someone’s life. “Those responsible for this should face strict action. Until the investigation is concluded, the Health Minister should resign,” he said.
In a series of posts on X, Bharadwaj demanded the suspension of errant officials. “I joined on 9.3.2023, gave directions dated 21.3.2023 for audit of Medicines procured through CPA or otherwise. No action by Health Secretary.
“Again action taken report sought from Health Secretary dated 24.7.2023. However, no response came from Health Secretary. Procurement of medicines comes under DGHS and dept head is Health Secretary. 2 months back, on 23.10.2023, I recommended LG saab to suspend Health Secretary SB Deepak Kumar and DGHS. Why no action against them? At least suspend them now,” he said. Earlier, when asked about the matter on the sidelines of a press conference here, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai, who is also the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Delhi state convener, said that the government will come out with a detailed response. Rai said he had not seen the details of the matter.
The Delhi Congress said it is a “serious matter” and action should be taken against the culprits after an investigation.”It is a serious problem and a probe must be conducted... A medical board should be constituted by the government so that other medicines can also be tested and action should be taken against those found guilty, he said.
