Costly oncology medicines issued to kidney stone, UTI, prostate patients at KGMU

Lucknow: Patients suffering from routine urinary ailments, kidney stones and prostate disorders were allegedly shown in official records as recipients of expensive cancer medicines worth several lakh rupees under the state’s Asadhya Yojana, according to findings of an inquiry into the alleged Rs 2.5-crore drug scam in the urology department of KGMU.The revelations are part of a nearly 700-page report submitted by the five-member inquiry committee investigating irregularities in the procurement and distribution of medicines through the Hospital Revolving Fund (HRF).The KGMU on Tuesday had removed urology HoD Prof Apul Goel from his post, sacked three contractual employees and suspended a pharmacist after a preliminary inquiry confirmed a scam in procurement of medicines under the Asadhya Yojana. Under the scheme, KGMU provides costly drugs free of cost to poor patients on doctors’ advice.Sources said investigators found that the UHID numbers and Asadhya Yojana cards of several patients were allegedly misused to procure high-value medicines unrelated to their actual ailments.Patients being treated for urinary tract infections, kidney stones, prostate conditions and other non-cancer diseases were allegedly shown on paper as beneficiaries of costly oncology drugs. Medicines were withdrawn from the HRF store in the names of such patients.Investigators suspect that a substantial quantity of the drugs never reached the intended beneficiaries and may have been diverted outside the hospital system.One case highlighted in the inquiry involves a Hardoi resident undergoing dialysis for kidney failure. Despite having no documented history of cancer, expensive oncology medicines were allegedly procured in his name. The probe further found that medicines continued to be issued using his UHID number and Asadhya Yojana card even months after his death.The inquiry panel is now examining the supply chain through which the medicines were allegedly diverted and sold. Investigators are also trying to identify individuals and entities that may have received the drugs after procurement from hospital stores.Sources said the probe has expanded beyond financial irregularities to trace the movement of the medicines and uncover the network allegedly involved in the diversion of drugs purchased with public funds. KGMU authorities are yet to make the full inquiry report public.Audit of all depts providing cancer treatment orderedKGMU administration has also ordered a comprehensive audit of all the departments providing cancer treatment, including Radiotherapy, Surgical Oncology, Medical Oncology and Gynaecologic Oncology. A five-member committee will scrutinise records of medicines costing more than Rs 5,000, verifying bills, vouchers, prescriptions and patient records from the past five months under schemes such as Asadhya Yojana and BPL benefits. Special scrutiny will focus on chemotherapy and immunotherapy drugs, said KGMU spokesperson Prof KK Singh.