Medicine, not poison

The demand for a proper mechanism for purchase of drugs has been ignored by the authorities. The results are obvious. Sub-standard and spurious drugs continue to flood the market. Last year it came to the fore that five of the six spurious drugs supplied to hospitals were manufactured by a single company. This reflects the nexus between the authorities and the manufacturer. This also exposes the deep rot in the system. The erring officials are never taken to task. There should be a system in place for purchase of drugs, and other medical equipment. Not only e-tendering, there must be somebody to check the quality of drugs, and the equipment, supplied to hospitals. Taking samples after delivery and coming out with reports after months of purchase makes no sense. This, in a way, helps in institutionalising corruption. The drug department has not performed to the satisfaction of the public, at least not till date. It has also been learnt that the Drug Department lacks the manpower and equipment to accomplish the tasks it is supposed to do. The purchase committee must have a senior officer from the Drug Control Department, besides prominent and reputed members of the civil society. The analysis must be done at the time of purchase. In fact the purchase must be made only after the committee gives consent. And, after giving consent, if any drug or equipment is found sub-standard, the members of the committee must be brought to justice. The purchase of drugs, and the medical equipment, has a direct bearing on public health and patient care, and anybody who compromises on this needs to be taken to task. Secondly, the practice of approving the tender of the lowest bidder must be abandoned at least as far as purchase of drugs is concerned. The government also had a new drug policy on its mind but to this day nothing has been done in this regard and the spurious, and sub-standard drugs continue to be sold with impunity. The administration has to wake up and do what it is supposed to do. The people need medicines, not poison.