Low-cost stores in 5 hospitals - Round-the-clock counters approved

MRINALINI SHARMA

North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, which will get a low-cost drug store Siliguri, April 9: The state government has decided to open low-cost medicine stores in five hospitals in north Bengal where drugs would be available even at half the market price. The round-the-clock Jan Aushadhi Kendras or counters that will sell unbranded generic drugs will be the first in the region and will also cater for patients outside the state-run hospitals. The five stores, among the 20 that has been approved across the state, would be opened at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Malda Medical College and Hospital and the district hospitals at Jalpaiguri, Raiganj and Darjeeling. “Jan Aushadhi Kendra is a central scheme to promote generic unbranded medicines with the help of state governments. The scheme has been successfully implemented in Punjab and Haryana. The Bengal government has passed an order to open such outlets in 20 more hospitals. We received a copy of the order last week,” said NBMCH principal Anup Kumar Roy. In government hospitals, free medicine is given only to patients who are admitted. According to an official of the health department, the central government has identified five sick PSU drug manufacturing companies to supply generic drugs at lower prices. Roy said the new medicine counters in the state will be run by Gluconate India Private Limited. “Drugs will be available by their generic names like cetirizine and paracetamol and not brand names. The medicines would be available to patients at one third to half the retail price in the drug stores. For instance, if the price of a strip of paracetamol is Rs 20 outside, it will be available for Rs 10. Anti-cancer and important combination drugs, medical consumables and orthopaedic and cardiovascular implants will also be available at the stores. Medicines would be given not only to those who are hospitalised but anyone with a valid prescription,” Roy added. The state has three Jan Aushadhi Kendras, one each at MR Bangur Hospital and NRS Medical College and Hospital in Calcutta and at the Howrah district hospital. “We have kept three rooms ready with power and water supply. A team from the state health department will inspect the rooms and choose one for the store. We hope to open the counter at NBMCH in the next five months,” said Roy. District health officials said the orders have reached the hospitals in Darjeeling, Malda, Jalpaiguri and Raiganj.