Saturday, July 01, 2017

RTI query reveals that PMC buys medicines at inflated rates

Hindustan Times: Pune: Saturday, July 1, 2017.
RTI query reveals that PMC buys medicines at inflated rates
According Right to Information (RTI) activist Vivek Velankar, the PMC bought generic medicines from the market at a discount of 19.1% when the same medicines were available on a higher discount.
Velankar, who obtained information under RTI, said the civic body was satisfied on 19% discount when he purchased the same medicines at a discount of 60 % to 70%. 
Following scam allegations in purchase of medicines, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to buy generic medicines through a separate tender at lower rates.
Activists have accused that for years the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) spent a far higher amount of money on generic medicines which are available at big discounts in open market.
According Right to Information (RTI) activist Vivek Velankar, the PMC bought generic medicines from the market at a discount of 19.1% when the same medicines were available on a higher discount. Velankar, who obtained information under RTI, said the civic body was satisfied on 19% discount when he purchased the same medicines at a discount of 60 % to 70%.
“The PMC is spending tax payers’ money by paying extra amount to purchase generic medicines. The PMC administration should probe if there are wasted interests involved in the entire matter,” said Velankar.
The PMC administration said from here on the civic body will purchase medicines by floating tender with a separate column for generic medicines.“From here on there will be two sections with one for generic medicines and other for branded medicines,” said assistant health officer Sanjeev Wavre.
The PMC has recently floated a tender of ₹5.5 crores to buy medicines. Velankar demanded that the PMC should issue a corrigendum for a separate column for generic medicines