A major case of negligence has come to light in the Punjab Health Department, where hospitals re-purchased medicines that were already in stock.
During a briefing to Secretary Health Punjab, Azmat Mahmood, it was revealed that medicines worth over 70 million rupees were bought under local purchases, even though these medicines had already been supplied by the Punjab Health Department. However, the hospital administration re-purchased these medicines from preferred contractors and pharmacies.
The Secretary of Health has ordered a halt to the purchase of medicines already in stock. Azmat Mahmood stated that no medicine can be purchased if it is already in stock, and if medicines are bought under local purchase despite being available in stock, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent (MS) will be held responsible.
He further mentioned that the Punjab Information Technology Board’s software will be updated to prevent the purchase of medicines that are already in stock.