A case has been registered over the alleged theft of government medicines from the Shetphal-Gadhe Primary Health Centre in Indapur taluka, Pune district, raising concerns about the security of supplies intended for patients who depend on free treatment. Bhigwan police recorded a non-cognisable case on November 6, according to a report by Sakal – Pune.
The shortage was identified after the centre’s medicines were checked on November 3. Pharmacist Manisha Bisen had been on leave on November 2 and found a substantial discrepancy in the stock when she returned to work the following day, the report said. Medical officer Dr Snehal Thorat subsequently submitted a written complaint to senior health authorities.
The police record alleges that Dr Snehal Karande took medicines valued at Rs 4,057. The allegation has not been established by a court. The case has been registered as non-cognisable, and the investigation is continuing under the guidance of Assistant Police Inspector Somnath Shendge.
The report also said that local residents examined closed-circuit television footage and claimed it showed sacks of medicines being taken away at night. The footage was cited as part of the developments that led to the complaint and police registration. The supplied report does not state whether the footage has been formally seized, authenticated or examined by investigators.
The medicines were part of the government stock kept for patients visiting the primary health centre. Such supplies are intended to be distributed without charge to people seeking treatment through the public health system. The reported discrepancy therefore affects not only the centre’s inventory records but also the availability of medicines for patients who may not be able to purchase them privately.
The case also places attention on the administrative controls used at primary health centres to record, store and audit medicines. In this instance, the discrepancy came to light during a stock inspection after the pharmacist’s return from leave. The report does not provide details about the total quantity missing, the names of the medicines involved, the centre’s access-control arrangements or whether any departmental inquiry has been ordered.
Bhigwan police are continuing efforts to recover the missing stock, according to the report. Further action will depend on the investigation into the alleged removal of the medicines, the evidence available from the centre and the findings of the health authorities.
