Gogoi orders probe into drug purchase

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today directed Chief Secretary V K Pipersenia to probe why branded drugs were purchased by the state Health & Family Welfare Department during the past many years in spite of a policy for procurement of generic drugs.
He asked Pipersenia to investigate the procurement of medicine, purchase of non-essential drugs and delay in constituting Assam Medical Services Corporation and to submit a report to him within a month.
"This matter may be verified and responsibility fixed on individuals concerned for causing loss to the public exchequer due to procurement of branded drugs instead of generic drugs," Gogoi said in a statement.

Gogoi also asked the Chief Secretary to probe the extent of procurement of non-essential drugs since 2006 by the Health & Family Welfare Department and the amount involved in purchasing them.
"It is to be examined whether such procurement was necessary and responsibility may be fixed on individuals responsible for any irregularities," he said.
The Chief Minister further directed the Chief Secretary to fix responsibility on individuals for the delay in setting up of the Assam Medical Services Corporation despite his clear instructions to the department.
The Chief Secretary was also asked to pass on instruction to the Director of Financial Inspection to carry out inspection of financial matters pertaining to National Health Mission during the last 10 years and to submit the report urgently.