There are some problems in supply of certain drugs only at primary health centres: Karnataka Health Minister

Acknowledging that there were some problems related to the supply of certain medicines at primary health centres (PHC) in the State, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday, however, told the Legislative Council that the drugs were not in short supply at State-run hospitals at the district and the taluk level.

Of the 890 drugs to be supplied, the Minister told the Council that 534 would be procured through bidding, of which purchase orders had been given for 232 drugs. Another 356 would be procured locally.

Over the last two months, hospitals have been asked to procure drugs locally. Drugs were available under AB-ARK and ₹20 crore had been set aside for its purchase. “During the transition phase, we have asked hospitals to buy drugs locally and have given them money. In the transition phase, drugs worth ₹270 crore have been supplied.”

Drugs are available at taluk and district hospitals while some problems have been reported in primary health centres, he added.

Stating that the process of drug procurement is being streamlined, Mr. Rao said that officials were visiting pharma production sites to ascertain the capacity of the producer to supply the requisite drugs. The new tender process allows entry of newcomers since the previous tender clause of “past performance” that kept away many newcomers had been done away with, and staggered supply instead of yearly stock had been introduced, he added.

In the Assembly, Mr. Rao insisted that there was no shortage of drugs. However, the department was in the process of reforming the procurement of drugs and operation of Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation (KSMSCL).

In this transition phase, there could have been some problems, the Minister maintained.

The Minister explained that here will be a month quarantine period after procuring drugs. During this period, the drugs would be subjected to quality tests before being given to hospitals, he explained.