Modification of Procedure for procurement of Drugs and consumables for ECHS

Modification of Procedure for procurement of Drugs and consumables for Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS)

No. 22D(01)/2016/WE/D(Res-I)

Government of India

Ministry of Defence

New Delhi, 22nd August, 2017

To,

There have representations from the veterans regarding supply of medicines. DGAFMS has undertaken a series of modifications to procedure of procurement of medicines for ECHS beneficiaries. Meetings have been held with all he stakeholders and with due deliberations it has been decided to adopt a procedure in line with Authorised Local Chemist model of CGHS for procurement of medicines through the Empanelled local

chemists.

2. With reference to Govt of India, Ministry of Defence letter No 24(10)/03/US(WE)/D(Res) dated 25th November, 2003, I am directed to convey he sanction of the Government on the Modification of Paras 17 to 25 and addition of Pa 26 regarding Local Purchase of Emergent, Life saving and Essential and Not Available drugs for ECHS as under:

Chairman	–	SO ECHS/ Col Rank officer detailed by Station Commander.
Members	–	Lt Col (Non Medical) detailed by Station Commander
	–	Jt Dir Hospital Services of Regional Centre concerned/ Medical Officer detailed by Station Commander
	–	Rep of IFA / PCDA / CDA

19. The Board of Officers will invite Tenders through advertisement in the local press and e-procurement portal from local medical stores.chemists for empanelment with ECHS Polyclinic. The Board will check the Technical parameters as per Tender Enquiry. The Board will arrive at L1 Vendor based on maximum overall amount of discount on MRP for all the drugs to be supplied with a minimum OR of 15%. The tenderers will quote an overall discount figure irrespective of the quantity or number of individual drugs. The Board will consider parallel rate contract with L2 and L3 vendors and include their names in recommendation if those vendors agree to the L1 rates. The Board of Officers will submit a recommended list of local medical stores/chemists to the Station Commander for approval. The Contract will be signed with the approved local medical stores/chemists by Stn HQrs for a period of two years. The detailed terms and conditions, formats Of Tender Enquiry and Contract will be based on CGHS TE and contract of Authrosied Local Chemists. All CGHS Authrosied Chemists in the same city will be considered as deemed empanelled i.e. need not participate in TE but sign the contract with Stn Cdr. 

20. When an drug prescribed by the Medical Office in th ECHS Polyclinic is ‘not available’ as confirmed from the stock in the med cal st re of polyclinic, the Officer in charge Polyclinic will raise a demand to the empanelled local medical store/chemist. The demand will be supported by prescription signed by the Medical Officer managing the case. In all such cases, the ‘Medical Officer will ensure that there are no other substitutes available in the Polyclinic Medical store in lieu of the drug required. Branded drug will be prescribed with due medical justification only. On receipt of the demand, the empanelled local medical store chemist will supply the required drug to the Polyclinic. The indents will be preferably raised online to the empanelled local chemists and timelines as per CGHS contracts will be followed.

21. The Bills for the drugs supplied will be forwarded by the empanelled local medical store/chemists monthly to the Officer in charge polyclinic along with a copy of the demand raised by the Polyclinic. The Officer in charge Polyclinic will after due verification authenticate the receipt of drugs/consumable and forward the consolidated bills by the 5th of the following month to the Stn Hqrs who will process the same for releasing payment with sanction of Station Commander/ appropriate CFA.

22. The payments on account of procurement of drugs an consumables from empanelled local chemists will be made from the cash assignments placed at the disposal of Station Commanders and in exercise of delegated financial powers vide para 1 of Appendix to GOI letter No 24(3)/03/US(WE)/ (Res) (i) dated 08 Sep 03 relating to payments and reimbursements for medical expenses. Funds required will be placed at the disposal of Station Commander’s by; Central Org ECHS. The payments will be effected by cheque/electronic payment. 

23. The monetary ceiling for expenditure are enhanced as follows:

Type A & B Polyclinics : Rs 2.5 lakh per month

Type C Polyclinic : Rs 1.5 lakh; per month

Type D Polyclinic : Rs 1 lakh per month

Any expenditure above this limit will be approved by CO ECHS. The CO ECHS may re-appropriate the required funds from other polyclinics if required.

24. The list of drugs and consumables indented from local chemists alongwith quantity indented will be included in the polyclinic in lent to SEMO when due.