Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj directed the Secretary (Health) to make prompt alternative arrangements, in place of ‘substandard drugs’ so that the public is not inconvenienced and the treatment of patients is continued uninterrupted. Bharadwaj expressed his displeasure at the fact that hospital authorities then didn’t make any alternative arrangement.
In a written communication, the minister expressed his anguish that patients were inconvenienced since they were required to buy these consumables out of their pocket. Directing the Secretary (Health), the minister solicits information on the alternative arrangements of medicines of standard quality by DGHS and the hospitals within a week.
In a note to Secretary (Health), Bharadwaj said it has been brought to my notice that the Vigilance Department has directed Secretary ( Health) to immediately remove the five drugs which were not of standard quality namely amiodine, levetiracetam, pantoprazole, cephalexin and dexamethasone from the stock where they have been supplied.
“It was observed that in the recent past certain essential consumables like absorbent cotton wool and rolled bandages were found ‘not of standard quality’ and were removed from the stock where they were supplied. The hospital authorities then did not make any alternative arrangement for the some and consequently patients were inconvenienced since they were required to buy these consumables out of their own pocket. Since the aforementioned five drugs which are to be removed from the stock, are also essential in nature and required for treatment of hypertensive disorder, seizure disorder, gastritis infections and respiratory diseases, hence, alternative arrangements should immediately be in place to make them available so that the general public is not inconvenienced and the treatment of patients is continued uninterrupted,” Bharadwaj said.
“You are directed to inform me regarding the alternative arrangements made by DGHS and the hospitals for making available the five medicines namely, amlodipine, levetiracetam, pantoprazole, cephalexin & dexamethasone, of standard quality, and their fresh stock position in the healthcare facilities, latest within a week.
