Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd (KMSCL) has begun procuring medicines directly from manufacturers, bypassing intermediaries, thus expecting to save crores of rupees in purchases for govt hospitals.The decision, initiated on health minister K Muraleedharan’s directive amid medicine shortages in govt hospitals, has resulted in a substantial reduction in procurement costs for several essential drugs.Insulin, which used to be earlier procured at Rs 99.60, will now be purchased directly from the manufacturer at Rs 73 per unit. The direct procurement of erythropoietin, used in treating patients with serious conditions, including cancer and HIV-related complications, has reduced the cost by at least Rs 30 per injection.A significant reduction has also been achieved in procuring medicines for patients suffering from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). A batch of medicine, previously sourced from a foreign company for more than Rs 5.5 lakh, will now be procured from an Indian pharmaceutical company, Natco Pharma. Although the company initially quoted Rs 15,900, KMSCL has finalised the deal at Rs 8,000, said KMSCL officials.KMSCL plans to extend the direct-purchase arrangement to other medicines in short supply at govt hospitals. Pharmaceutical companies have reportedly agreed to the arrangement, subject to one key condition: payments must be settled in full within a maximum of two months of supplying the medicines.KMSCL has accepted the payment condition, paving the way for further direct procurement from manufacturers.KMSCL is also considering dispensing with the tender process for next year’s procurement and sourcing medicines directly from pharmaceutical companies. The move is expected to reduce procurement costs and streamline supplies to govt hospitals.The initiative comes amid persistent concerns over medicine shortages in the state’s public healthcare system and mounting pressure on govt to ensure timely availability of essential drugs.
