Pilferage of drugs, corruption in procurement of medicines and bad prescribing habits by doctors continue to mar the system of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), if the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health is any indication.

“The Committee’s attention was drawn towards the malpractices in CGHS Wellness Centres wherein unclaimed pensioners’ plastic cards that remain uncollected are being used for procuring medicines to be sold in private markets. Moreover, instances of pilferage and bad prescribing habits of doctors leading to high volume of local purchases have also been reported in the submissions of the beneficiaries,” a recent report by the panel said.

The CGHS provides comprehensive health care facilities to the Central Government employees and pensioners their dependents residing in CGHS covered cities, sitting and retired members of Parliament, freedom fighters etc. Started in 1954, the system is now in operation in 25 cities.

As regards checking the incidents of fraud and corruption in procurement of drugs and pilferage of drugs, the Health Department has informed that with the computerization of CGHS, details of issue of drugs on previous visits are available and further drugs are prescribed and issued to beneficiaries after verifying such details. It is now possible to monitor the demand, supply and consumption pattern of drugs in CGHS Wellness Centres. Indents are placed online. Any unusual change in such patterns is closely monitored and scrutinized at the level of CMOs in-charge and also at Medical Store Depot.

“The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Ministry should seriously consider the option of setting up the strong surveillance system with emphasis on surprise inspections. The Committee is also of the opinion that the specialists should be made aware of all the medicines listed in the Formulary, so that the specialist could prescribe medicines listed in the Formulary which would ensure cutting down of the quantity of local purchase resulting in cost control. In addition to this, orientation in material management should be provided to the in-charge of the Medical store depots from National Institute of Health & Family Welfare, run by the Ministry who could supervise and guide the lower staff in store activities. Maintaining proper inventory would help in controlling the length of indent list in the CGHS Wellness Centres,” the Committee recommended.