Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether a large number of medicines remained out of stock in Government hospitals in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of deaths reported during each of the last three years and the current year, hospital-wise; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure adequate supply of medicines in these hospitals?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)
(a) to (c): Since Health is a State subject, no such information is maintained centrally. However, as far as three Central Governmentviz. Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. RML Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College and its Associated Hospitals in Delhi are concerned, it is not correct to say that a large number of medicines remained out of stock. Procurement is a continuous process and sometimes few medicines are not available due to non-availability of medicines with the firms/technical problems and delay in supply. The details of medicines out of stock during last three years in Safdarjung Hospital are given in Annexure. Every effort is made to make available all drugs which are lifesaving and are in the hospital formulary. The steps taken in this regard includes sending of annual demand to Government Medical Store Depot (GSMD) in advance to supply drugs in installments; purchasing of drugs from PSU in case of non-supply by GSMD; procurement of drugs in case non-availability with PSU by limited tender; in case of emergency, procuring medicines from authorized Chemist shop of the hospital; etc.