From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jul 24: With ruling BJP member Dr Sarvabowma Bagali alleging large-scale irregularities in the marketing of generic drugs in Janata Bazar outlet in the Victoria Hospital premises, Karnataka Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas offered to quit if the charges leveled against him were proved true.
BJP member Dr Sarvabowma Bagali on Monday alleged that there were large-scale irregularities in marketing of generic drugs at the government hospital and demanded the resignation of the minister for his involvement in the scam.
Responding to the charges made against him by his own party member, Ramdas told the State Legislative Assembly that no irregularities had been reported in purchase and sale of generic drugs at the shop.
Medicines have been sold at 50 to 80 per cent discount, he said explaining that the allegations made by Dr Bagali were totally baseless.
Bagali, doctor by profession and owns a private hospital in his constituency, claimed that Citrogen tablet sold at Rs 2.30 in hospital were being sold at Rs 38 in government hospitals.
The Minister said Union Minister for Health Gulam Nabi Azad and actor Amir Khan, who is hosting “Satyamev Jayate” TV show, appreciated the State Government’s efforts to promote generic medicines.
A total of 20 outlets would be opened soon to sell generic medicines, he said.
Azad would visit the State next month and the actor Amir Khan in November to inaugurate generic medicine stores, Ramdas said.
Ramdas claimed that the drug mafia had influenced Dr Bagali to level false charges against him.
The Department in collaboration with the Karnataka State Co-operative Consumer Federation Ltd would set up Janata Bazaar Generic Drug Stores in hospitals and sell medicines at 50 per cent discount prices, he said.
The government has signed agreements with four major drug manufacturing companies – CIPLA Ltd, Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, and Intas Pharmaceutical Ltd – to supply generic medicines at subsidised prices to stores set up at government hospitals, the Minister said.
Speaker K G Bopaiah said he would hold a meeting with the minister and Dr Bagali and the drug controller to find out the truth in the charges made by the member.