Medicine Suppliers Halt Supply to BMC Over Pending 120 Crore Payment for Last 5 Years

Patients in 27 BMC hospitals across the city may soon face severe shortages in medication as suppliers have decided to halt the supply of drugs. This comes after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) failed to clear dues amounting to Rs 120 crore.

Abhay Pandey, the National President of the All Foods and Drug Licence Holders Foundation, stated that over 48 suppliers are awaiting payments, with amounts overdue for periods ranging from six months to four years. As a result, the medicine supply to BMC hospitals and related facilities will be completely suspended starting today, until all outstanding dues are cleared.

Pandey further stated that suppliers continued to provide medicines to BMC even during the challenging COVID-19 period, when the situation was difficult across the country. However, for the past four to five years, they have been left helpless due to pending payments. "We have been supplying medicines to BMC daily, but the outstanding payments, including tender money, regular supplies, and dues with vigilance, totaling Rs 120 crore, have not been cleared by BMC," Pandey explained.

"We don't want to stop the supply, but due to financial constraints, we have no other option but to halt it," he added.

Pandey emphasized that only a few days' worth of supplies remain in these hospitals, and patients could face significant difficulties if the payment issue is not resolved promptly.

For the past two years, BMC has been managed by the administration due to the postponement of corporate elections. The Maharashtra government is expected to announce the BMC elections within the next three months.
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