A Right to Information (RTI) based investigation into alleged procurement irregularities at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has revealed that a medical consumable item procured at ₹38 per unit was allegedly relabelled and sold at ₹410 per unit, resulting in a markup of nearly 978 percent.

According to documents accessed through the RTI process, the item in question, identified as Innova Plast, was reportedly purchased by a chemist at a procurement cost of ₹38 per piece. Investigators allege that fraudulent labels carrying an inflated Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of ₹410 were subsequently affixed to the product packaging before it was supplied, leading to substantial overpricing.

The revelations have triggered concerns regarding procurement practices, pricing transparency and oversight mechanisms within public healthcare institutions. Officials familiar with the matter indicated that the findings could lead to further investigations into procurement procedures, vendor compliance and possible violations of medical supply regulations.

The alleged price inflation highlights broader concerns surrounding the procurement and supply of medical consumables in healthcare facilities, where pricing discrepancies can significantly increase treatment costs and impose additional financial burdens on patients and healthcare systems. Experts note that transparent procurement systems, competitive bidding and digital tracking mechanisms are essential to preventing such irregularities.

India’s public healthcare sector procures thousands of crores worth of medicines, consumables and medical devices annually, making strong governance frameworks and regulatory oversight critical to ensuring cost effective and ethical healthcare delivery. Recent years have also seen increased efforts to strengthen procurement transparency through digital platforms and centralized purchasing systems.

Healthcare policy experts have called for comprehensive audits, stricter vendor verification procedures and enhanced monitoring mechanisms to prevent fraudulent practices and ensure accountability. They argue that improving transparency in procurement processes is essential to safeguarding public resources and maintaining trust in healthcare institutions.

The latest revelations have renewed discussions around healthcare governance and procurement reforms, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for robust oversight systems to protect patient interests and ensure the integrity of public healthcare delivery.