Illegal Sale of Drugs: UP Govt directs KGMU to submit probe report

Lucknow: The King George's Medical University (KGMU) has been directed by the State Government to submit the probe report regarding the illegal sale of drugs meant for KGMU's hospital within a week.

Terming the illegal sale of drugs in the open market as a serious offence, the Government authorities have also made Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, SGPGI and other medical institutes alert to monitor such issues.

The matter came to light last Thursday when the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UPSTF) arrested three people for selling drugs, which were meant for sale to KGMU patients only, in the open market. 

At that time, the force had also recovered several boxes of tablets, syrups and injectable medicines worth more than Rs 2 lakh. Reportedly, these medicines had been purchased from the HRF pharmacy while obtaining around 60% discount.

Consequently, the KGMU probe committee initiated the screening process of the bills in the pharmacy and noted that bills for thousands of medicines sold in the last few days had not been generated. Therefore, the committee was now trying to find if these medicines had been sold to any genuine patients or they had been taken out by racketeers.

Also Read: Mumbai: Pharmacist, aide arrested for selling COVID drug Remdesivir for four times its price; hints at bigger nexus

As per the latest media report by Hindustan Times, now the UP Government has directed the University on Saturday to submit the probe report in this connection within a week. In this regard, the Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said, "The state government is committed to providing the best possible medical care. But work is hindered due to a few officials and staff. The probe committee should identify each of the guilty as this is a serious offence."

Minister Pathak, who also oversees the Health and Medical Education Department of the State, further added, "The KGMU should file a report, stating who were responsible for the misdeed and what action against those found guilty is taken."

He mentioned that other hospitals such as Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, SGPGI should also be careful regarding the sale and distribution of medicines from their campus.

Apart from this, the Deputy CM also opined that KGMU and other institutes should conduct random checks regarding the sale of drugs. He also suggested that the staff working in the pharmacy should be rotated on a frequent basis.

Also Read: King George's Medical University performs first combined liver-kidney transplant