Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation floats tenders for repair works at Tasmac warehouses

The Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC), which is primarily tasked with the procurement and distribution of medicines to government hospitals in the State, has now invited tenders for special repair works at Tasmac warehouses in three locations.This is not the first instance of the State-run corporation taking on responsibilities beyond its core mandate as officials say the TNMSC is required to undertake any assignment entrusted to it by the government. Officials said TNMSC and Tasmac had entered into an internal arrangement under which the latter funds the hiring of five engineers for TNMSC’s Civil Wing, which will undertake maintenance of warehouses belonging to both the TNMSC and Tasmac.The TNMSC has floated four online tenders for the repairs of Tasmac warehouses in Ambattur, Thirumazhisai, and Thanjavur. This includes special repairs to damaged floor tiles and false ceiling, rectification of roof leakages, and provision of new rolling shutters at the depots of the warehouses. The tenders were floated on November 12, with a closing date of November 20.This is the latest in a series of instances in which the TNMSC has been entrusted with the procurement of non-medical items and services. It was earlier involved in procuring one-gram gold coins for the TVK government’s “Thaimaman Thangamothiram Thittam”. Subsequently, it was asked to float tenders for various assistive devices and mobility aids, including retrofitted petrol scooters, for the Department for the Welfare of the Differently Abled Persons.The TNMSC was established with the primary objective of ensuring availability of all essential drugs in government medical institutions across the State by adopting a streamlined procedure for their procurement, storage and distribution. It was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 in 1994 and commenced its functions of purchase, storage, distribution of drugs from January 1995, according to information on its website.Health officials said TNMSC operated 38 warehouses across the State. “It has a Civil wing of three executive engineers. Tasmac is giving money to hire five more engineers for the wing. It is a gain for TNMSC as we are getting more engineers to do maintenance of TNMSC warehouses at zero cost. We will also take up maintenance of Tasmac warehouses as a part of this arrangement,” an official said. The boards of the two State-run corporations have approved this move, which will help in strengthening the Civil Wing. “The arrangement is a win-win situation for both corporations. Our core work, which is procurement of medicines, will not be affected in any way. We only stand to gain through this arrangement,” he added.Government healthcare professionals have, however, expressed concern that the increasing number of non-medical tasks being entrusted to TNMSC could dilute its focus on ensuring an efficient and uniform drug procurement and distribution system for government hospitals. A government doctor said there seemed to be a gradual dilution of the corporation’s original purpose. “The impact will certainly be felt by government hospitals over a period of time. The TNMSC was set up to ensure uniformity in drug purchases and to prevent irregularities. Now, it looks like the purpose is being diluted,” he added. Published - November 15, 2026 12:19 am IST