New Delhi, August 15: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has debarred two medical suppliers for two years following repeated complaints about defective syringes and Yankauer suction sets supplied to various departments of the premier hospital.
The action was taken after complaints from doctors and medical staff indicated that the quality problems persisted despite replacement of faulty stocks, raising concerns over patient safety and the reliability of medical supplies used in critical care areas.In one case, AIIMS took action against Tirupati Medilines Pvt Ltd, the contractual supplier of disposable 5 ml syringes with needles.
The syringes were manufactured by Cardiomac India Pvt Ltd under the brand name Dispo.AIIMS said complaints received from different departments included reports of insects inside syringes, broken needles, blood-stained needle hubs, fungal contamination, needle dislocation, internal breakage and cracked plungers that resulted in leakage.
The complaints were reported from several departments, including the Trauma ICU, orthopaedic and IVF operation theatres, emergency medicine department, National Centre for Ageing block laboratory and the Mother and Child Block.The first complaint was received in March 2025, following which the supplier was instructed to replace the affected products.
However, further complaints were received even after replacement of the stock.AIIMS subsequently initiated proceedings against the supplier. During the proceedings, Tirupati Medilines said it was an authorised distributor and not the manufacturer, and that the products were supplied with the manufacturer’s quality certificates.The institute, however, held that the company remained responsible as the original contractual entity supplying the products to AIIMS.
Following the proceedings, AIIMS concluded that the supplier had failed to adequately ensure quality compliance and fulfil its contractual responsibilities. It consequently barred the company from participating in relevant AIIMS tenders involving disposable 5 ml syringes and equivalent-category products for two years.In a separate case, AIIMS debarred Taarini Medicare Inc., a supplier and distributor of Yankauer suction sets, for two years.
Yankauer suction sets are used to remove blood, secretions and other fluids from a patient’s mouth, throat or surgical area, making them important during surgical and emergency procedures.AIIMS received complaints from operation theatres about poor suction performance and material-quality issues. One of the reported problems involved the tubing collapsing under negative pressure, resulting in interruption of suction flow.
The institute directed the supplier to replace the defective products. Although the company reported that the affected stock, including 565 units, had been replaced, complaints continued for several months.AIIMS said the defect could not be considered minor or merely cosmetic because failure of the suction system during surgery could obstruct the surgical field, affect visibility and potentially delay critical medical intervention.
The institute also observed that complaints across multiple batches indicated a recurring quality issue rather than an isolated defect.The two debarment orders underline AIIMS’ emphasis on quality control and patient safety in the procurement of medical equipment and consumables.
Further administrative or procurement-related action, if any, will depend on the institute’s ongoing assessment of suppliers and medical products.
