Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 30 (PTI) Minister K Muraleedharan on Thursday ordered an inquiry into medicines and medical supplies procured by the KMSCL that remained unused and expired in its warehouses.
According to the state Health and Devaswom Minister’s office, preliminary findings indicate that medicines, surgical equipment and Personal Protective Equipment kits worth around Rs 50 crore, procured during the Covid-19-induced pandemic, remained in storage beyond their shelf life and are no longer fit for use.
The minister said strict action would be taken against those responsible for the waste of public funds.
He pointed out that scientifically disposing of the expired materials would require several lakh of rupees in additional expenditure.
Muraleedharan
directed the Health Department’s Principal Secretary to investigate lapses in Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited’s procurement, inventory management, warehousing and distribution systems.
The inquiry will examine KMSCL’s procurement and inventory records over the past 10 years.
The minister directed that the probe determine the total quantity and value of the expired medicines and identify the reasons and circumstances that led to their accumulation and eventual expiry.
It will ascertain the expenditure incurred during the period on the collection and scientific disposal of expired medicines.
The report should identify the lapses with supporting evidence and recommend measures to prevent such wasteful expenditure in future, the minister said. PTI TGB SSK
