Maharashtrahas likely become the first state in India to pass a law for procuring medical supplies for public hospitals and medical colleges. The Maharashtra Medical Goods Procurement Authority Act, 2023-passed on Friday after the governor’s assent-seeks to streamline the procurement process by creating a dedicated branch that will solely handle the purchase of medical devices and medicines.
There has been a longstanding demand for a dedicated procurement authority in Maharashtra, especially after the decision to centralise purchases underHaffkine Biopharmaceuticalin 2017 turned out to be a complete catastrophe. The new law will facilitate its creation with financial Resources and manpower to make the government’s medical purchases more swift, efficient, cost-effective and transparent. The medical Education and public Health department jointly make purchases to the tune of Rs 1,800-2,000 crore annually.