CBI to probe substandard drugs in Delhi govt hospitals

Drugs that were found to be of “substandard quality” included critical life-saving antibiotics. Pic/Twitter

The Union Home ministry has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the supply of substandard medicines in Delhi government hospitals and whether the drugs were also distributed through mohalla clinics, sources said on Friday.

The CBI probe was ordered following a recommendation by Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena on the matter in December last year. Saxena said the drugs allegedly "failed quality standard tests" and had the "potential of endangering lives" in hospitals run by Delhi government. The Delhi government's Directorate of Vigilance had written to the home ministry requesting the probe. "It also needs to be investigated whether the same drugs which have been procured by the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) are also being distributed to the patients through the ‘Mohalla Clinics' or not," the communication read.

Saurabh Bharadwaj, health minister

The letter said any action for supplying ‘Not of Standard Quality' drugs should not be confined to the CPA and there is need to investigate the entire supply chain - the role of the suppliers who procured from manufacturers and provided supply to the end users, that is, hospitals (patients). "Besides, there is a need to lift the corporate veil to understand the gravity and motives of supplying ‘Not of Standard Quality' drugs," read the Directorate of Vigilance letter. The drugs found to be of "substandard quality" included life-saving antibiotics used for the treatment of lung and urinary infections.

Welcome CBI probe: Delhi health minister

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Friday welcomed the CBI inquiry into the alleged supply of substandard medicines to Delhi government-run hospitals and demanded the immediate suspension of the health department's secretary. "I had given directions for carrying out an audit of medicines immediately after assuming office in March last year but the (Delhi government) health secretary did not follow the directions. I welcome the CBI inquiry into the matter, but why is the Centre shielding the official. He should be immediately suspended," Bharadwaj said. Saxena had in December recommended the CBI probe into the supply of drugs that had allegedly "failed quality standard tests" and had the "potential of endangering lives".

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