The Assembly Estimates Committee of Kerala government, probing the controversial anti-rabies vaccine purchase issue, has found irregularities in the actions of the health department officials as well, in its preliminary investigations.

The Assembly Estimates Committee felt the CPC had not verified the efficacy and quality of Abhayrab vaccine during its purchase. It felt there was no justification in buying a drug for its cheaper price, rather than assessing its quality and efficacy. It is to be noted the state health director had said Abhayrab was not purchased by the CPC headed by him, but when the state medical education director was the chairperson of CPC on a rotation basis.

The committee also found fault with the purchase of Rabipur vaccine. It noted the district medical officer reported about the incidents of reaction to patients administered with Abhayrab vaccine at the government district hospital only after two months of the incident. During that period, vaccines of the same batch were administered to patients at the hospital, despite the reported incident.

Ban of Abhayrab and decision to purchase Rabipur vaccine was based on tests conducted on samples collected from same batches from the hospital. The drug inspector, who inspected the hospital, had clearly mentioned the drug was kept at room temperature, and not at the prescribed 2 to 8 degree Celsius. Therefore, it was natural to get a negative report for the samples.

The committee, which quizzed the Central Purchase Committee (CPC) members, including the Health Secretary, Health Director and Drug Controller, has asked the officials to produce all documents related to purchase of anti-rabies vaccine for verification on 12th of this month. The committee also directed the state finance department to submit the report prepared by the finance inspection wing, which detected the alleged irregularities.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association has come forward to offer ‘evidences’ to the Assembly Estimates Committee on irregularities in the purchase. According to Dr.KN Prasad, president and Dr.CN Sugathan, general secretary, the government should suspend the health director and enquire the role of CPC and its activities, drugs purchased by CPC, the list of pharma companies supplying drugs to CPC, and all deals of the department in the last five years.