Question : SUPPLY OF MEDICINES

(a) whether the Government has taken note of supply of medicines and medical equipments to the hospitals by certain pharmaceutical companies despite being blacklisted/found guilty for supplying substandard medicinal products on the earlier occasions;

(b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years and the current year, State/ UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any enquiry in this regard;

(d) if so, the details along with the overcome thereof and the action taken against the offenders; and

(e) the measures taken/proposed by the Government to check the recurrence of such irregularities?

MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a) to (d): Health being a State subject, no such information is centrally maintained. However, in so far as three Central Government Hospitals, namely, Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. R.M.L. Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College & its associated hospitals are concerned, no such case of supply of medicines/equipments from the black-listed firms has been reported. However, as reported by Dr.R.M.L. Hospital, as and when supply of sub-standard medicine was noticed, show-cause notice and order to immediately replace the stocks of sub-standard drugs were issued to the supplier and the concerned Drug Controller were informed for taking necessary action. Also such medicines were immediately replaced by the supplier.

(e): The bidders have to comply with tender terms and conditions that are framed with the objective to maintain high standards. Some documents like WHO, GMP certificate, Drug Control license and certificates, affidavit to the effect that the firm has not been blacklisted are part of the tender condition. The selection procedure involves screening by several committees before final selection is done.