Free of cost medicines to be distributed from 1595 centres

Bhopal: Arrangements for making available free of cost high-quality generic medicines to patients have been strengthened in the state. Mukhyamantri Nishulk Dawa Vitran Yojna (Chief Minister’s Free of Cost Medicine Distribution Scheme) will be implemented on state’s foundation day, November 1. In a phased manner, medicines will be distributed to patients from 1595 distribution centres. Medicine distribution arrangements will be made by district hospitals. Earlier, the Health Department used to purchase 270 types of medicines. Now, the number of medicine types has been increased to 400. The State Government has made a provision of Rs. 165 crore under the scheme for the year 2012-13.
Boards displaying Mukhyamantri Nishulk Aushadhi Vitaran Kendra will be installed at the 1995 distribution centres to be set up under the Chief Minister’s Free of Cost Medicine Distribution Scheme. Each centre will comprise a well-managed counter, shelves and plastic boxes for stacking medicines. Directives have been given to maintain proper sanitation and hygiene at medicine distribution centres. Medicines will be available 24X7 hours to admitted and OPD patients from these centres. If a medicine is not available in the store, then only the nearest possible alternative medicine will be prescribed. Government doctors will not prescribe any medicines to be bought from market.
Chief Medical Officers and Civil Surgeons will undertake online monitoring of the scheme through Store Drug Management System. Lists of minimum medicines have been made available to CMOs and Civil Surgeons for distribution through distribution centres. As per the lists, 147 types of medicines will be available for distribution at district hospitals, 113 at civil hospitals, 107 at community health centres, 64 at PSCs and 24 types of medicines will be available at sub-health centres. A sum of Rs. 51 crore has been made available till March 2012 to districts as per population. A provision of Rs. 165 crore has been made in the budget for the scheme for the year 2012-13. A sum of Rs. 51 crore has been received for the scheme from the Union Government. Thus, Rs. 216 crore will be spent on the scheme during the year 2012-13. This will ensure availability of free of cost medicines to patients at government hospitals.