Panaji: Alleging that Health Department has flouted the medicine purchase process to benefit the private pharmacy ‘Wellness Forever Medical Pvt Ltd’, Congress leader Girish Chodankar on Saturday claimed that injection by name ‘Morepenem (1 GM)’ was purchased for Rs 4800, whose lowest cost (L1) was Rs 131.50.
Chodankar, while addressing a press conference, slammed BJP government and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane over loot of state exchequer and alleged that even cancer patients are not spared from this loot and are asked to purchase costly medicines from Wellness Forever Pharmacy, though actual cost is low.
He said that the financial position of the state government is worst with liability around Rs 32,000 Crore, despite that taxpayers money is looted.
“We had raised this issue earlier and also CAG had done observation of this loot. Despite that, the Health Department continued to carry out this loot. Hence we demand that thorough investigation of this scam should take place. If the government fails to probe this scam, then we will approach the court,” Chodankar said.
While citing examples, Chodankar said that ‘Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator’ injection used during treatment of brain stroke was purchased for Rs 29000, but actual cost is Rs 13000.
“Morepenem injection is purchased at Rs. 4800, while its lowest bidded rate was Rs 131.50/-. One medicine to treat cancer is available at Rs 1500, but same is sold between Rs 5000 to 6000 at Wellness Pharmacy in Goa Medical College. They are looting people of Goa,” he said.
He said that since 2018 to 2022, Wellness forever has been given business of Rs 163 crores, that too without following procedure. “CAG had pointed out about this purchase, which is done without following existing rules. On the pretext of ‘emergency’ medicines are being purchased from Wellness Forever for exorbitant rates and stopping the tendering process to benefit this firm,” he alleged, adding favour to wellness Forever Pharmacy, while local pharma distributors are not paid on time.
“Surprisingly, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane moved a note to cabinet to pass the bill of Rs 62 cores of Wellness Forever, however local distributors are still awaiting their payments, which is around Rs 8 crores,” Chodankar pointed out.
“There is a need for thorough and impartial investigation into these matters. The citizens of Goa deserve transparency, fairness, and accountability in the functioning of the government, especially concerning their health and well-being,” Chodankar said.
He said that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should initiate a Vigilance inquiry and prove that he is not hand in glove with Rane in this loot.
Chodankar also demanded to follow only the tender process to stop the ongoing loot in purchase of medicines. “I am ready for a public debate over this issue as I have got evidence of this loot,” he dared Vishwajit Rane, questioning what is the interest of the Health Minister to favour Wellness Forever.
