The state run GT Hospital has initiated an inquiry into the Food and Drug Administration’s seizure of medical devices worth over Rs 1.7 crore. A three member committee has been set up to investigate about how an outsider had occupied a room in the hospital’s staff quarter where he had stocked the orthopaedic implants illegally. The committee will also inquire on how many patients from GT, JJ and St George hospital were supplied these devices.
The FDA had seized medical devices worth Rs four lakh from a third floor room in GT Hospital’s staff quarters. Further investigations led them to a wholesaler in Nanded from where they seized implants worth over Rs 1 crore. “The room in the staff quarters was meant to be a store room. I don't know how someone occupied it. Also, the rooms are allotted to a staff only,” said Dr Mukund Tayde, medical superintendent of GT Hospital.
The inquiry committee consists of Dr Eknath Pawar, head of orthopaedic department, JJ Hospital, Vikas Miandad, deputy medical superintendent, GT Hospital and Dr Sawpnil Keni, orthopaedic unit in charge from GT Hospital.
The person named Vineet Pimpale who was operating a firm called Medical Surgical and Hospital Equipments from the staff quarters is said to be the brother of an orthopaedic surgeon who was earlier posted in GT Hospital. According to FDA officials, he was operating without a valid license. They found that the devices were procured from Nanded based Asclepios Enterprises which also did not have any licence.
“The firms had a tie up with the Maharashtra government to supply the devices. We are investigating into it and are checking on the two Gujarat based companies manufacturing the devices,” said FDA commissioner Harshadeep Kamble.
According to Dr Tayde, the most worrisome part is whether the devices were of standard quality or not. “The FDA has sent the samples for checking,” said Dr Tayde adding that preliminary investigations have revealed that no patients from GT hospital has purchased implants from the unlicensed seller.
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