A recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has raised concerns about the procurement and quality control of drugs in Kerala's government hospitals. The audit, covering the period from 2016-17 to 2021-22, highlighted major issues, including drug stock outs, delayed supplies, and insufficient quality checks. This comes as Kozhikode Medical College faces a significant shortage of medications.
The report revealed 62,826 instances of drug shortages, with some patients waiting over four years for essential medicines. Of these, 4,126 cases had wait times exceeding four years, while 21,943 patients waited between 100 days and one year. Critical medications for conditions such as hypertension, allergies, cardiac arrest, infections, and diabetes were commonly missing.
A review of seven district-level hospitals showed that out of 603 essential drugs needed, only 44% to 58% were available. Moreover, of 4,732 drug items ordered, just 1,036 (21.89%) were fully supplied. Some drugs were delivered in quantities lower than 50%, while 307 items were not supplied at all.
Delays in drug supplies were also a major concern, with over 81% of orders delayed. Despite provisions for penalties, suppliers were rarely fined. The government’s justification for the delays, citing Covid and floods, was rejected, as these issues persisted throughout the audit period.
Additionally, the audit found that expired medicines were being distributed in 60 cases across 26 hospitals. While the government denied the circulation of expired drugs, the CAG report presented evidence showing that expired or discontinued medicines had indeed been issued to patients.
