The Maharashtra government has announced plans to conduct third-party testing of medicines supplied through the Maharashtra Medical Goods Procurement Authority (MMGPA) to ensure accountability and quality in the healthcare system.
The decision follows the tragic deaths of 31 patients, including 12 newborns, over a span of 48 hours at Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital in Nanded between September 30 and October 2, 2023. Allegations had surfaced suggesting the fatalities resulted from a shortage of medicines or doctors. However, government officials attributed the deaths to an influx of critically ill patients referred from private and smaller hospitals.
In a recent review meeting, Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar directed that all medicines supplied through the MMGPA undergo third-party testing to verify their quality. Abitkar emphasized that hospitals must procure high-quality medicines from reputed companies and thoroughly examine the “drug content” of existing supplies.
The minister stressed the need for empowering the MMGPA by increasing manpower and reviewing rate agreements with suppliers. “Strict action will be taken against suppliers or procurement officials if discrepancies are found,” he stated, adding that a procedure must be developed to ensure quality medicines are accessible to poor patients.
Abitkar also highlighted the importance of transparency in hospital operations, noting that under the Bombay Nursing Act, registered hospitals must prominently display their examination and facility rates to prevent financial exploitation of patients.
As reported by medicaldialogues, this initiative aims to provide quality healthcare facilities and restore public trust in the state’s healthcare system following the Nanded hospital tragedy.