Doctors buy sub-standard injections

The injection was purchased at higher prices as compared to the drugs from branded companies. Though sources revealed that difference in price of injection was only of Rs 10 per piece,but the secretary health Satish Chander today said,“The injection produced by a leading branded company with the same salt was available at Rs 2.47 cheaper rates and still the civil surgeon purchased the costly injection of a less popular pharmaceutical company. I have given strict instructions to all the district heads that this mistake should not be repeated again. This causes loss to the state funds.”

Satish Chander however denied that there was a price difference of Rs 10 per injection. Health authorities say the difference was less than Rs 3.

He added,“I have told the district heads that out of the list of approved drugs,the one which priced at the lowest rate,should be purchased and not the one which gives the maximum discount on MRP.” The Health Secretary however added,“The new policy is not defective at all. In fact,a few old pharmaceuticals companies are creating an unnecessary hue and cry.”

It has already been mentioned that sub-standard injection stock was removed from the civil hospitals of the above mentioned districts following the Indian Express reported the incident. These injections were causing fever in new mothers who had undergone cesarean and later the injection of a ‘better’ brand was purchased at a ‘cheaper’ price.

The difference in the prices of many other medicines has also come in light. These include antibiotics,multivitamins given to new mothers. Sources revealed that health minister is closely studying all the aspects. However he has failed to punish the culprits till now.

This has raised question marks over the recent purchase of drugs under NRHM for expectant mothers. The medicines purchased by health department are of generic drugs while branded drugs are priced cheaper in market. This raises questions on whether the ‘inflated’ rate has been printed on the generic drugs lying in civil hospitals.

Health Minister Satpal Gosain did not rule out the flaws in purchase policy and pointing finger on the previous health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla said,“All this purchase was done before I became the Health Minister and it is indeed a serious matter. All the top shots involved in the purchase policy will not be spared. I am studying all loop holes of this policy.”