Maha Govt approves setting up of Medical Purchase Authority

Mumbai: Months after the Maharashtra government had opened up the idea about establishing a regulatory body for the regular supply of medicines and other items to medical colleges and hospitals in the state, the state cabinet on Tuesday approved the setting up of the Maharashtra Medical Purchase Authority through an act.

With the formation of the new body, medicines and medical equipment purchase would take place through a high-level committee headed by the chief secretary. The chief minister is set to be the chairman of the regulatory body.

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The body would have 14 positions in total, and contract staff would be appointed, as per officials. The body is set to have a Chief Executive Officer, General manager of the rank of joint director of health, general manager of the rank of joint secretary, assistant general manager of the rank of deputy director (technical), chief accounts and finance officer and a chief administrative officer. An estimated amount required to start the body is Rs 65 lakh crore.

The needed items, after getting approval at the administrative department level, would be acquired as per the availability of funds and would be supplied to the health institutions as per their requirement.

The announcement was made by the Medical education minister Girish Mahajan in the state legislative council while responding to a calling attention motion by MLCs Praveen Datke, Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Nago Ganar.

In 2017, the government has set up a purchase cell at Haffkine Bio-pharmaceuticals Corporations Limited and the state-run medical college and hospitals had to mandatorily buy medical goods and equipment from the said corporation. However, after receiving reports about extensive delays in the purchase of medicine, medical and surgical equipment to the hospitals, the state government on December had announced that it is planning to set up Maharashtra Medical Authority on the lines of the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority for regular supply of medicines, medical equipments and surgical items, which was reported by the Medical Dialogues team.

Maharashtra health minister Tanaji Sawant stated that they decided to set up an independent body to improve the procurement and supply system for health institutions under the state government so that medicines could be made easily available at an affordable rate for common people. Sawant added that instead of multiple medical purchases, all purchases would take place under one roof through this newly formed body, as per a media report in the Times of India.

Mahajan said that due to the delay caused by the Haffkine corporation, the state has increased the purchasing capacity of hospitals at the local level so that they could buy medicines on their own as a stop gap arrangement. Mahajan further informed that the delays are caused due to staggered administrative approval, delays from departments for placing the orders, and lack of manpower at Haffkine.

Mahajan said, "Following complaints, attempts are being made to fast-track the tender process at Haffkine and avoid delays in supply of medicines, medical equipment and surgical items by strengthening the purchase department there."

Meanwhile, welcoming the move, the Abhay Pande, president of the All India Food and Drug License Association told the India Today, "It will help us have a single point of procurement of certain medicines, medical consumables, devices, equipment and execute with highest standards of quality. Also, timely supply of medicines at minimum and uniform rates of desired quality and quantity will be achieved."

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