PANAJI: Alleging scam into the procurement of medicines by Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) from a private pharmacy at maximum retail price, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) on Sunday demanded judicial inquiry by a retired High Court judge into the same.
Speaking to media persons, GPCC president Girish Chodankar alleged that in the name of emergency, GMC procured medicines from a private pharmacy at MRP which was nearly 300-400 per cent times higher than the approved tender prices.
He also accused the private pharmacy of selling medicines to GMC using wholesale licence issued by Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).
"When the 2014-2015 New List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) tender got outdated, the Health Minister accommodated a private party in GMC through a tweaked tender process and instructed GMC officials to ensure that the supply of medicines should be done through a local purchase only through the private pharmacy," alleged Chodankar.
Explaining further he said that while the 2016-2017 (non-NLEM) tender was valid till April 2019, the process to float the combined new tender was initiated.
"The Health Minister and his team manipulated the terms and conditions to disqualify all the Giant distributors who objected to these ill intentions. Finally the combined new tender was floated on August 6, 2018 by GMC and forwarded to the government for final approval," Chodankar said.
The GPCC president alleged that the approval of the tender was delayed intentionally to support procurement of medicines from the private pharmacy.
"This irregularity has been going on since 2018. They must have sold medicines to GMC to the tune of Rs 30-40 crore in the name of emergency," said Chodankar.
Alleging scam in this entire procurement of medicines, Chodankar has demanded judicial inquiry through a retired High Court judge. He has also demanded that all the medicines should be made available through tender process only.