[india-drug] Karnataka to centralize drugs purchase for government

[Sunitha Srinivas <s.srinivas@ru.ac.za>]

hospitals
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(Source:http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=19735

It would be a good discussion if we could compare how the other states
in India are managing their procurement in the public sector. Technical
coordinators from all states participating under DSPRUD, are urged to
kindly share their experiences. Thanks?.SS)

Karnataka to centralize drugs purchase for government hospitals
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The Karnataka government will centralize purchase of drugs for
government hospitals to curb irregularities. An estimated Rs.80 crore
worth of medicines and equipments are purchased annually by the state
government.

The decision comes in the wake of five health officials including BB
Tambakur, a retired additional director, government medical store being
suspended on December 23, 2003 for irregularities in purchasing IV
Fluids, which resulted in Rs.78.85 lakh loss to the government. The
health department was purchasing intravenous drugs directly from the
Karnataka Pharmaceuticals & Antibiotics Limited (KAPL) and Pooja
Pharmaceuticals. The Lok Ayukta has even reportedly suggested the
seizure and attachment of property of the additional director who has
superannuated.

Kagodu Thimmappa, minister for health and family welfare said that
based on the Lok Ayukta's recommendations, the Karnataka Regional
Logistics Society headed by the health commissioner, Mohammed Sanulla
will hence forth call for indents from all hospitals at the beginning
of the year. It will then make the purchases based on the indents. 

Hospitals will be given passbooks, which outline their requirements,
and they will be allowed to lift the stocks.

He said that the officials would be punished if unnecessary medicines
are indented or if the indented medicines are not lifted. "We are in
the process of building 14 godowns, such that two adjoining districts
are serviced by two godowns", said Muhammed Sanaulla.

"The passbook system is under implementation and will be fully
operational in the State by April 2004. With this we are withdrawing
the funds given to the Zilla Parishads to purchase the medicines," he
said. 

Asked how the hospitals will be able to meet the emergencies or the
outbreak of epidemics when the indenting of medicines will be an annual
exercise, minister for heath and family welfare said that at least 10
per cent of the total funds available for purchase will be reserved for
exigencies.



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