New Delhi: Delhi govt, in a temporary policy shift amid scrutiny of its health procurement system, has cancelled all pending medicine and medical consumable tenders being processed through the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) and temporarily authorised govt hospitals to procure medicines and other commodities on their own.The health and family welfare department in an Aug 6 order said all pending and incomplete tenders initiated by CPA, that have not been finalised, stand cancelled with immediate effect. CPA’s procurement functions are “in abeyance”, except for essential drugs. Existing rate contracts will continue till expiry, although these will be reviewed for procedural or legal lapses.Until fresh rate contracts for essential medicines are finalised, hospitals have been directed to procure both essential and non-essential medicines through their respective heads of institutions, following financial and procurement rules. The same arrangement will apply for consumables, surgical items and medical equipment.The order said the interim arrangement has been made to ensure uninterrupted availability of medicines, consumables, surgical items and equipment in govt health facilities. It also noted that changes to the existing centralised procurement policy require approval of the council of ministers under the transaction of business rules.Over the past two months, govt has initiated multiple investigations into alleged irregularities in procurement of medicines, surgical items and medical equipment by CPA.The anti-corruption branch and Enforcement Directorate are probing allegations of inflated pricing, manipulation of tender specifications and favouritism towards certain suppliers. The chief minister earlier ordered an inquiry.CPA was created to procure medicines and surgical consumables for Delhi govt hospitals.Recently, the Delhi health minister also issued a showcause notice to the health secretary accusing the department of repeatedly ignoring official directions to submit a comprehensive action plan for pending procurement of medicines, consumables and equipment.
