CAG finds lapses in functioning of TNMSC

 CAG finds lapses in functioning of TNMSC

The Hindu Bureau  11.12.2024

CHENNAI

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has found several deficiencies in the functioning of the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC).

In its report tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday, the CAG highlighted issues of non-supply/short supply of drugs to hospitals, deficiencies such as procuring of short-expiry drugs and non-blacklisting of suppliers, and problems in quality control (QC).

The CAG’s performance audit on ‘Public Health Infrastructure and Management of Health Services’ pointed out that during 2016-2021, 185 suppliers provided 1,447 drugs, manufactured much earlier than 30 days before the date of supply.

Audit scrutiny revealed that such drugs costing ₹11.12 crore had expired while in stock during 2016-2021. It noted that the suppliers had replaced the expired items only in 13 instances, of which 10 were during 2020-2021 or later.

The audit observed that during 2016-2021, in 13,922 cases, drugs lying in warehouses for over six months were not sent for quality testing. During the same period, in 19 instances, drugs supplied by different suppliers failed quality check in government laboratories more than two times. Suppliers were not blacklisted in 14 instances.

While the TNMSC replied that suppliers were not blacklisted as penalty was imposed instead, the audit said that instances of failures in quality testing were very high.