In view of reports of shortage of medicines in Government health facilities the State Government has constituted an inquiry headed by State Director General (DG) of health services, Dr Kusum Narriyal. The inquiry would ascertain the exact cause of the shortage of the medicines and would fix responsibilities.
Informing about the latest development the Principal Secretary health, Om Prakash said that it appears that many Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) have not floated tenders for procurement of the medicines. He said that the responsibility would be fixed in the inquiry and appropriate action would be taken against those responsible.
It is learnt that the many CMOs are not happy with some of the clauses of the new drug procurement policy as it gives then less scope of maneuverability which spawns corruption so they are refrained from releasing tenders, precipitating the present crisis.
The state health department implemented a new policy for procurement of drugs on July 13 last year. Under the new policy the department has kept a minimum turnover of Rs 20 Crore for a state based firm and Rs 70 Crore for a national firm which intends to participate in process of tender for supplying medicines in State.
The policy also mandates that the selected firm should supply the medicines at a rate which is at least 23 percent less than the MRP. These pre-conditions appear to have become deterrents for the interested parties to participate in the tender process. However a top health department official said that the new policy is perfect and the only problem lies in its execution.