Indian Express 11.03.2010
Civic panel opposes medicine contract
Express News Service Tags : medicine contract case, mumbai Posted: Thursday , Mar 11, 2010 at 0007 hrs
Mumbai: The standing committee members of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday opposed the civic administration’s proposal to award the contract of supplying capsules and tablets to 15 pharmaceutical firms, of which only two are big brands.Though members demanded that medicines should be purchased from reputed manufacturers, the administration cited high costs as a deterrent. Last year’s budget for the purchase of medicines was Rs. 60 crore and for 2010-11, it is expected to cross Rs. 80 crore. If the civic body were to purchase medicines only from branded firms, the cost would escalate up to more than Rs 105 crore.
However, members were defiant that the quality of medicines should not be compromised with. BJP corporator Yogesh Sagar said, “BMC is the country’s richest municipal body and therefore, it should not compromise on the health of common man. A few additional crores spent is not a big deal.”
Additional Municipal Commissioner (health) Manisha Mhaiskar said,” The selected manufacturers and distributors have the licence of the FDA and have been approved by the World Health Organisation.” A decision on the issue was deferred to the next committee meeting.
