(a) whether the expired medicines/drugs are being distributed to the people
under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), run by the Government;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the fund spent by the Government on the
distribution of medicines during the last three years and the current year,
State/ UT wise; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to check such malpractices, if any, in future?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE(SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY)
(a)to (c) No. Under the National Rural Health Mission, procurement and distribution of
drugs are done by the States/UTs. This is in addition to the drugs procured and
supplied out of their own Plan budget. States/UTs reflect their requirements for drugs
in their Annual Programme Implementation Plans. To streamline the procurement and
distribution of drugs in the States/UTs, Government of India has advised the State
Governments to set up independent procurement agency on the pattern of Tamilnadu Medical
Services Corporation Limited (TNMSC). States have also been supported to install
Procurement Management Information System (ProMIS) for better of supplies of drugs
and logistic management.
Government of India also procures and supplies medicines, vaccines and contraceptives
for some selected programmes under NRHM. In all such cases, the tender conditions
stipulate that there should be a balance of at least 5/6 Shelf-life after shipment.