JAIPUR: Enforcing a strict “zero-tolerance” policy against financial and procedural anomalies, the Rajasthan government has initiated sweeping administrative action against medical stores operating under the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS). Aligned with Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma’s mandate for absolute transparency and financial discipline, the state has expelled 58 allopathic and 11 Ayurvedic pharma stores from the RGHS empanelment list.
Continuing the stringent crackdown, the state drug controller has officially canceled the licenses of 14 allopathic pharma stores. Furthermore, formal directives have been dispatched to the Additional Drug Controller and relevant departments to revoke the licenses of the remaining 44 allopathic and 11 Ayurvedic stores involved in the irregularities.
Suspending Errant Operations and Overbilling Practices
The administration has temporarily suspended the Transaction Management System (TMS) for 10 approved pharmacies found guilty of billing medicines at rates drastically higher than prevailing market prices. Additionally, pharmacies that have failed to dispense medicines to beneficiaries for over a month are currently facing TMS suspension proceedings.
Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar reiterated that ensuring the delivery of quality medicines to eligible beneficiaries while maintaining absolute financial accountability is the state government’s top priority. He warned that strict disciplinary and legal actions will continue against any detected fraudulent practices.
Glaring Financial Discrepancies Uncovered
Principal Secretary of Medical and Health, Gayatri Rathore, revealed shocking details uncovered during recent departmental investigations. In several instances, doctors prescribed expensive Ayush medicines costing over ₹10,000 for common, minor ailments like constipation and general weakness, creating an unnecessary financial burden on the state exchequer.
She highlighted a specific case involving the Denosumab 60 mg Injection. While its standard market rate is approximately ₹6,500, claims were submitted for as high as ₹18,000. Recovery proceedings have been initiated against the responsible doctors and pharmacies. Extensive audits of previously submitted claims and intensive statewide monitoring are currently underway, extending to both private pharmacies and CONFED stores. Any pharmacy suspected of pricing or procurement fraud has been ordered to submit original purchase bills and records for physical verification.
Stringent Guidelines and the ‘Green Flag’ Initiative
Harjilal Atal, Chief Executive Officer of the Rajasthan State Health Assurance Agency, announced that immediate compliance directives have been issued to all empaneled pharmacies to fortify accountability. To promote ethical business practices, the agency has decided to introduce a “Green Flag” system to identify, encourage, and highlight pharmacies that demonstrate transparent operations, adhere to all rules, and exhibit excellent performance.
Adding to the rigorous compliance framework, Additional CEO Nidhi Patel stated that pharmacies are now mandatorily required to record the manufacturer-approved pack size, product code, and exact MRP in their medical claims. She explicitly warned that claims based on artificial price inflation, incorrect mapping, or selling generic drugs under branded names will attract immediate financial recovery and severe punitive action. Moving forward, all claims must be strictly backed by authentic purchase bills, GST invoices, and verifiable stock registers while ensuring mandatory RGHS discounts are applied.
