Procurement of medicines as per assessment

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, March 12: UDP legislator from Shillong West Paul Lyngdoh during the Question Hour today said that the administration of expired drugs to patients is a crimil act.

In his reply during the Question Hour today, state Health Minister AL Hek said that there was no excess purchase of medicines by the Health department as the procurement was made as per the assessment made from the institutions.

Hek also said that the department has not computed the cumulative losses due to the expiry of drugs till date.

The Health Minister also informed that the government has constituted a Joint Procurement Committee headed by the Additiol Chief Secretary for the overall assessment of the demand for medicines in the state.

Hek also told the Assembly that the Rs 4 crore was spent for purchasing medicines for three fincial years – 2009-10, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012.

Hek also informed the House that a fact finding committee was formed to enquire into the matter and the report will be submitted by April 2.

It may be mentioned that there were reports of disposal of expired medicines worth up to Rs 4 crores purchased under the funds of the tiol Health Rural Mission (NRHM) recently.