Chandigarh, March 9 — To prevent pilferage of buprenorphine tablets and maintain an accurate record of drug addiction treatment, the Punjab Government plans to install a two-layered biometric system across 706 Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics.
Nearly 10 lakh patients receive buprenorphine tablets from 529 government and 177 private OOAT clinics. The state supplies the tablets, gradually reducing the dose based on recovery progress. However, concerns have arisen over patients developing dependence on the medication.
In 2019-20, approximately five crore buprenorphine tablets were allegedly pilfered and diverted by private clinics, leading to the cancellation of 23 major defaulters’ licenses. A vigilance inquiry was conducted, and in March 2019, Food and Drug Administration officer Neha Shoree was reportedly murdered after flagging the diversion of these tablets.
Sources said the biometric system would help track patients digitally, ensuring that only genuine individuals receive the medicine. “The two-layered system will serve as a double check,” an official said, adding that impersonation and fake entries had been detected in the past.
Under the system, patients’ fingerprints will be recorded upon visiting a clinic and again when a doctor or pharmacist administers the dose. The registration process will be linked to Aadhaar for verification.
A trial run is underway, and officials said the system would be launched soon as part of the Punjab Government’s renewed anti-drug campaign under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
