KGMU suppliers yet to submit affidavits

LUCKNOW: Despite reminders, none of the orthopaedic and dental implants suppliers has submitted affidavits stating that his price is lowest for KGMU patients as compared to the market.

The welfare society in KGMU had demanded these affidavits two months back to make sure the prices quoted by the companies (KGMU purchases directly from the firms) remain lowest to benefit the patients.

The society has the task of providing cost-effective drugs and implants to patients at the King George’s Medical University.

“There are 14 suppliers and five have responded. We are studying their replies,” Prof Ajai Singh, secretary of the society, said on Wednesday.

He said action would be taken post the review of the replies.

The affidavit was sought after several patients lodged complaints with the society that the firms charged more than the market price.

As this amounted to corruption, the society decided seek affidavits from all implant suppliers.

Knee and hip joints constitute a major chunk of orthopaedic implants, apart from plates used to treat multiple fractures in limbs and wires used in compound fractures.

As the majority of the implants is costly, a price rise of 10% or 15% makes a major difference.

Once the companies submit affidavit, they will be bound to give lowest price to KGMU that purchases implants in bulk.

If they are found violating the terms, they might have to face action.

Seeking affidavits from implant suppliers was the second big decision by the welfare society to check companies from charging more from patients.

Prior to this, lens suppliers were asked to ensure lenses prescribed by the doctors in the ophthalmology department were supplied to the society shops to curb direct sale to patients.

Under direct sale, patients have to pay more because the society negotiates the price but individual patients or their attendants do not.

The society is likely to go for other options, like introducing the rate of the tender to be floated for trauma centre-II, coming up at Vrindavan Yojna.

THE AFFIDAVIT WAS SOUGHT AFTER SEVERAL PATIENTS LODGED COMPLAINTS THAT THE SUPPLIERS CHARGED MORE THAN THE MARKET PRICE