A huge scam in the misuse of medicines under the Ayushman Bharat cashless health scheme has been exposed at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. The multi-state scam, in which such medicines were fraudulently purchased and unlawfully sold to others, is being investigated by law enforcement agencies.

Major Breakthroughs in the PGIMER Ayushman Scam
1. Bogus Medicine Claims Exposed

• On February 18, 2025, PGIMER security personnel apprehended a suspect who was trying to obtain ₹60,000 worth of medicines from AMRIT Pharmacy on the basis of fake documents and an unauthorized department stamp.

• On investigation, authorities seized an indent book belonging to the Department of Urology and eight fake stamps from different PGIMER departments.

2. Multi-State Racket Busted

• The accused was discovered to be working on instructions of a handler in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

• The fraud included bogus procurement of medicines for crores of rupees under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana scheme, which were illegally sold to private medical stores.

• PGIMER patient information was compromised, sparking fears about data security and abuse of sensitive data.

Authorities Ramp Up Security Arrangements
To avoid more fraud, PGIMER has taken several reforms in its healthcare service operations:

Switch to a Secure Online Indenting System:

• A computerized indenting system is coming in place of the manual one to avoid any misuse of medicines under the scheme.

• The PGIMER Computer Section, in association with an internal security committee, has come up with the new online system that interfaces with the Hospital Information System (HIS-1).

• Separate Service Area for Cashless Scheme Beneficiaries:

A dedicated area adjacent to the Emergency Department has been allocated for AMRIT Pharmacy so that the Ayushman beneficiaries can get their medicines on time.

•  Enhanced Staffing and Monitoring:

More staff will be sent in to monitor the distribution of medicine and provide an assurance that the drugs and implants are given directly to the patients.

Reactions and Next Steps
Police Investigation Gets More Intensive: Officials are probing how the patient information and the forged stamps were accessed, suggesting a critical violation of the hospital's data security and protection.

PGIMER's Assurance of Transparency:
The officials have guaranteed that they are making vigorous efforts to revive the integrity of the Ayushman Bharat drug supply system.

The PGIMER Ayushman Bharat scam has revealed deep weaknesses in the public health system, calling for immediate reforms to protect medicine distribution. With enhanced security features, rigorous monitoring, and action by law enforcement, authorities are set to thwart future fraud and ensure patient rights under the cashless healthcare program.