Delhi Minister 'Welcomes' CBI Probe Into 'Fake Drugs' Case, Seeks Health Secy's Suspension

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has 'welcomed' a probe by the CBI into supply of substandard drugs in Delhi government hospitals.

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj. ( Image Source :PTI )

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has "welcomed" a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into supply of substandard drugs in Delhi government hospitals, as reported by news agency PTI. 

Welcome CBI probe into supply of substandard drugs in Delhi govt hospitals: Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 5, 2024

Bharadwaj further said that health secretary did not follow the directions and should be suspended. "Gave directions for audit of medicines," he said, as quoted by news agency PTI. 

Gave directions for audit of medicines, health secy didn't follow directions and should be suspended: Delhi minister Bharadwaj

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 5, 2024

Addressing the reporters over the matter, Bharadwaj said, "We found through media few days back that few samples of medicines were not of the prescribed standards. It was said that 43 samples were taken from three different hospitals, out of which five samples were declared NSQ, which means 'not of standard quality'. You will see that this particular term has been repeated in this official report. Nowhere, does this mention that the drugs are fake or spurious".

VIDEO | "We found through media few days back that few samples of medicines were not of the prescribed standards. It was said that 43 samples were taken from three different hospitals, out of which five samples were declared NSQ, which means 'not of standard quality'. You will… pic.twitter.com/MlXN83hOpj

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 5, 2024

Earlier in the day, the Union Home Ministry had ordered a CBI investigation in the Delhi 'fake medicines' case on the recommendation of Delhi LG VK Saxena. The Home Ministry ordered the probe agency to register an FIR in the case.

The move came after the Delhi Government's vigilance department on Thursday referred the matter of spurious drugs to the Home Ministry for a CBI inquiry. Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena had previously written to the probe agency and requested an investigation into the case.

The decision was based on the Delhi Vigilance Department's report on allegedly forged drugs found in government hospitals According to the report, the vigilance department launched an investigation based on samples of substandard drugs collected from prominent Delhi government hospitals such as LNJP, DDU, and IHBAS.

The vigilance department determined that the drugs were of poor quality. The vigilance department asked to withdraw certain medicines from the stock because they were found to be "not of standard quality". On Sunday, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj asked the health department to make alternative arrangements immediately to avoid a drug shortage in government health facilities in the city.