Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has urged a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged procurement and distribution of "non-standard drugs" to government hospitals in the national capital.

Expressing concern in a communication to the Chief Secretary, Saxena highlighted that medications, subjected to testing in both private and government laboratories, were found to be of substandard quality. He emphasized the alarming aspect that these medicines were administered to a substantial number of patients in Delhi's government hospitals and potentially supplied to local community clinics (Mohalla clinics).

Saxena expressed concern about the significant budget allocated for medicine procurement. He alleged the participation of suppliers and manufacturers from other states in the process.

According to a report from the Directorate of Vigilance on substandard drugs, three out of 43 samples sent to government laboratories failed quality tests, and 12 reports are still pending. In addition, of the 43 samples submitted to private labs, five did not meet quality standards, while 38 were deemed to be of standard quality.

The LG revealed that drugs including Amlodipine, Levetiracetam, Pantoprazole, Cephalexin, and Dexamethasone failed quality tests in both government and private laboratories. Furthermore, a report on 11 additional samples is currently pending at a government lab in Chandigarh.

The Vigilance Department has proposed an expansion of the sampling scope, citing that over 10 percent of the samples failed the quality test.

In response to queries on the matter, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai informed PTI that the government will provide a comprehensive response. He also accused attempts to impede the government's work through such investigations. This situation underscores the urgent need to ensure the quality of healthcare supplies within the public health system.

Image source: India Today