LG Recommends CBI Inquiry Into Supply Of ‘Non-standard’ Drugs In Delhi Government Hospitals

There were complaints of sub-standard medicines being supplied in Delhi Government hospitals.

Delhi Government Hospitals: In what appears to be another showdown between Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Government, the former has recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged procurement and supply of “non-standard” drugs in Delhi Government Hospitals. This was intimated by the Raj Niwas officials on Saturday who added that 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.

Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai, when asked about the matter told PTI that the government will come out with a detailed response and alleged that there is an attempt to obstruct the work of the government through such inquiries.

“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. 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.

“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’. 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”, read the Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s note to the Chief Secretary.

“Prima facie, apart from CPA-DHS and 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”.

The Directorate of Vigilance had submitted a report in the matter. There were complaints of sub-standard medicines being supplied in Delhi Government hospitals. Subsequently, samples were collected from the government hospitals, said Raj Niwas officials.

(With PTI inputs)