Azad vs Ramadoss: PSUs' closure to be probed

NOT HEALTHY: Anbumani Ramadoss is accused of favouring private companies over three PSU vaccine plants.

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New Delhi: Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad has reportedly ordered a probe into Government’s Universal Immunisation Programme.

In January 2008, former health minister Anbumani Ramadoss had ordered for immediate closure of –

• Central Research Institute in Kasauli

• Pasteur Institute of India in Cunoor

• BCG Vaccine Laboratory in Chennai

These PSUs were responsible for producing almost 90 per cent of the country's vaccines.

“An enquiry has been ordered by a committee which is headed by former health secretary to Government of India Javed Chowdhary, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General and Health Ministry secretary Dr Vishwa Mohan Katoch and former directorate general of Health Services (DGSC) RN Sarhan,” said Health Secretary Naresh Dayal.

These units were producing drugs like - Anti- snakebite serum, Diptheria anti- toxin, Anti Rabies serum, Tetanus anti-toxin, Yellow fever vaccine, Japanese Encephalitis and BCG vaccine.

The reason given by Ramadoss was that the units did not meet the requirements set up by the WHO on good manufacturing practices.

However, the Parliament Standing Committee on Health has accused Ramadoss of favouring a particular private company by giving it bulk orders, which would have otherwise gone to the three PSUs.

“The entire committee unanimously took a decision that the decision taken by then union minister Anbumani Ramadoss is not proper,” said Chairman of Parliament Standing Committee on Health Amar Singh.

Ramadoss’s decision to shut down the PSUs has not only invited the wrath of the Parliament Standing Committee on Health but even the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the minister.