The functioning of Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd. (KMSCL), the government flagship company involved in the procurement and distribution of medicines to government hospitals, on Thursday came under the scanner, with several legislators criticising its functioning during the course of the debate in the State Assembly on the demands for grants for the Health and Family Welfare Department.
V.S. Sunil Kumar of the Communist Party of India, who raised allegations against the KMSCL in writing, pointed to the adverse observations of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on the functioning of the company.
He said it was found that medicines that had crossed their expiry dates and estimated at more than Rs.1.5 crore were stocked in the KMSCL warehouse in Ernakulam alone.
Several other MLAs, particularly those belonging to the Opposition, criticised the functioning of the KMSCL.
Congress leader V.D. Satheeshan wanted the State government to take strong action against the Druggists and Chemists’ Association for challenging its authority by preventing drug companies from doing business with the KMSCL, and wrecking the functioning of Karunya fair price medical shops.
Members also complained about the shortage of medicines in hospitals, and the general deterioration in services in government hospitals.
Many put the blame on Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar for not being meticulous in handling the department affairs.
