SHILLONG: While out of 20,07,500 ZY-l0 forte capsules meant to cure male infertility procured by the health department through NRHM in 2011-12, a total of 61,000 capsules were expired, the total number of expired medicines (IFA tablets) to cure anaemia among pregnant women and women in general is 14.85 lakh out of the total 1.33 crore medicines purchased in 2009-10.
Health Minister A.L. Hek informed this in the Assembly on Wednesday through separate written statements to call attention motions moved by Donkupar Roy (UDP) on the alleged scam related to the purchase of medicines to treat anaemia and Paul Lyngdoh (UDP) on the purchase of medicines to cure male infertility.
According to the health minister, 61,000 ZY-l0 forte capsules expired in stock as the facilities failed to lift it from the store.
The health minister said that to streamline the procurement of drugs and consumables, the government has notified a Joint Procurement Committee (JPC) under the Chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department to provide the broad frame work regarding the procurement of drugs and consumables in the State.
“An initial step in this direction is the constitution of a sub-committee under the chairmanship of Director of Health Services (MI) to prepare a single list of medicines required by all the different programmes under the Health Department of the State,” Hek said. This is to ensure a single rate through an open tender as well as to do away with duplication in the procurement of medicines in the future, the minister added.
According to the health minister, there is a need to streamline the inventory management system currently being followed by putting into place a robust computerized inventory management system for drugs and consumables. “This would ensure faster and accurate indents from the hospitals/districts and equally quick and effective dispatch from the warehouse,” Hek added.
The health minister said that the new system will also aid in implementing a ‘First in First out’ policy in the dispatch of drugs and, at the same time, help the department in avoiding stock out of essential drugs in the State.
“The matter has been taken up with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and under the expert guidance of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) – a Government of India Agency – a proposal has been prepared and will be sent to the Ministry shortly for approval,” the minister added.
