The authorities at PGI Chandigarh are taking immediate action after a Times of India (TOI) exposé revealed that a private chemist operating within PGI's new outpatient department (OPD) was overcharging patients for medicines, violating contractual obligations.

Key Highlights

Overcharging incident

• PGI authorities will issue a show cause notice to the operator of the private chemist outlet in the OPD.

• The chemist was found to be inflating maximum retail prices (MRP) on drug labels, negating the 15% discount they are contractually obligated to offer.

Comparison with other chemists

• A comparison with prices at a private chemist in Sector 11 and the AMRIT store revealed that the PGI outlet was charging 50% more for the same medicines.

• The inflated prices were highlighted in a TOI reality check, drawing public attention to the issue.

PGI authorities’ response

• Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director Administration (DDA) of PGI, emphasized that the show cause notice would be issued for the discrepancies pointed out in the report.

• Rai also stated that if the response is unsatisfactory, a committee would be formed to further investigate the matter.

Previous controversies

• This is not the first time a private drug store within PGI has faced scrutiny. A controversy had previously occurred in 2024 surrounding PGI’s emergency drug store, where Propofol injections were reportedly sold, leading to the deaths of five patients.

• PGI authorities have now vowed to ensure strict action against anyone found guilty of exploiting patients.

This move by PGI Chandigarh reflects the administration's commitment to ensuring fair pricing and transparency in the healthcare services provided at its facilities. Authorities have reiterated that any malpractice, including overcharging and exploiting patients, will not be tolerated, and stringent actions will be taken against the violators.