No irregularities in purchase of medicines: Govt

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 14

Reports appearing in a section of media regarding irregularities in the purchase of medicines are baseless. This was stated by a government spokesperson here today.

“It is wrong to say that some person has been given supply orders amounting to Rs 35 crore as the government has enlisted 42 firms for the purpose and it is not possible to give supply orders to an individual,” he added.

“As far as the purchase of equipment by the Ayurveda Department at higher rates is concerned, the then director has been charge-sheeted for misconduct, causing Rs 39 lakh loss to the state exchequer.”

The spokesperson said three members of the purchase committee had been suspended and were also being charge-sheeted for negligence.

e-tenders for the supply of medicines and drugs to the health institutions were invited by the Health Department in August 2018 and bids were invited from manufactures and direct importers in which 118 firms participated and 73 qualified.

All supply orders were being issued through the Drugs Vaccine Distribution Management System portal to the bidders, he added.

He said the purchase order amounting to around Rs 44 crore had been made by indenting officers (CMOs, BMOs and medical superintendents).

Branded drugs could not be purchased by any indenting officer since all drugs available on rate contract were generic. However, if anyone was found purchasing branded drugs from outside or out of the rate contract on specified ladder, action would be taken against him as it led to misconduct and loss to the state exchequer.