The health department has ordered a vigilance probe into a drugs and medical equipment purchase scam at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) after an internal inquiry spotted irregularities in deals.

The vigilance investigation was ordered on Wednesday. The health department officials said deals to the tune of around Rs 5.5 crore between 2008 and 2010 for the nephrology and surgery departments were under the scanner. Drugs, gadgets, chemicals and reagents were bought for the two departments.

The internal probe hinted at major financial irregularity and criminal conspiracy in the deals.

Thirteen clerical employees, including eight pharmacists and two clerks, prima facie found involved in the deals have been transferred from the PMCH.

Though names of only clerical-grade employees have been mentioned in the report, authorities hinted that the vigilance inquiry could lead to bigger fishes.

“Since these purchases are carried out by the hospital authorities, their involvement cannot be denied. The picture will be clearer only after a detailed vigilance investigation,” a senior health department officer said.

An internal audit of the PMCH in January last year had revealed that purchases were made in the nephrology and surgery departments at excessive rates. “Eleven items worth Rs 4.54 crore were procured for the nephrology department of the PMCH, while one item worth Rs 98 lakh was purchased for the surgery department. It was found out in the internal audit of the institution in January 2011 that more than the required purchases were made in the two departments and at excessive rates. It clearly implied that there was a scam in the purchases to earn commission,” said the officer.

Social activists highlighted the issue in March 2011 and the health department constituted a committee to look into the allegations. The panel came back with its report last month.

The committee, comprising health directorate chief Dr Surendra Kumar and joint secretary (health) Vishwamohan Prasad Singh, reported that the nephrology department had paid four times the rate for a particular diagnostic kit in 2009-2010 it had paid for the same in 2008-2009. Permission was also not taken from the purchase committee of the PMCH before buying the kits. The total amount embezzled in the nephrology department was estimated to be around Rs 4.54 crore.

The surgery department, reported the committee, had bought equipment worth Rs 98 lakh to benefit the supplying agency and the entire procurement process was termed “irregular”.

Sources said purchase of medicines and equipment at the PMCH has always been a shady business. While purchase of many unnecessary medicines and diagnostic tools are overlooked, the ones that benefit supplying agencies are bought in abundance and at higher rates.

A source said: “Vigilance enquiries have been ordered in the past in some cases but no senior hospital administrative officer has been found guilty. Only the third-grade employees bear the brunt.”