Medicines worth ₹50 crore meant for free distribution expire in KMSCL warehouses; health minister orders probe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Medicines and surgical consumables worth an estimated ₹50 crore, procured for free distribution to patients in government hospitals, have expired in warehouses of the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL), allegedly due to official negligence.

The stockpile includes medicines, surgical consumables and personal protective equipment (PPE) kits purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The issue came to light after large quantities of expired medicines and medical supplies were found lying in a disorganised condition in KMSCL warehouses across several districts. The government is also expected to spend lakhs of rupees to scientifically dispose of the expired stock.

Following the revelations, Health Minister K. Muralidharan ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the matter. The minister directed the Health Department Principal Secretary to identify lapses in KMSCL's procurement, storage, warehouse management and distribution systems. The inquiry has also been asked to examine, with documentary evidence, the expenditure incurred on collecting and scientifically disposing of expired medicines during the period.
The government has sought a report containing recommendations to prevent similar wastage of public funds in future.

Speaking on the issue, Muralidharan said strict action would be taken against those responsible for purchasing medicines that ultimately expired, resulting in the loss of public money.
He said the investigation would cover all KMSCL transactions over the past 10 years. It will examine the quantity and value of expired medicines, the circumstances that led to their prolonged storage and expiry, and any systemic failures that contributed to the wastage.