=================================================
The Kerala state government has decided to provide 927 generic drugs free of cost to both BPL* and APL* categories from November 1.
During the first phase to be launched from Thursday, as many as 850 medicines would be provided free to patients in all five government medical college hospitals and general hospitals in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode.
During the second phase, the scheme will be extended to all eight general hospitals, 15 district hospitals and subsequently to all taluk hospitals and primary helath centres.
The scheme is quite significant considering the high consumption of drugs in the State. Kerala which accounts for 3 per cent of country’s total population consumes more than 10 per cent of drugs sold. The annual consumption of medicines in the state is Rs 2500 crore.
A panel of experts had shortlisted 950 drugs including 108 cancer medicines for free supply. The Prime Minister had announced the scheme earlier this year and it will cost Rs 28,560 crore over the 12th five year plan. Kerala is the first state to launch the scheme.
Keeping in view the increasing life style diseases, the government has laid special emphasis on providing medicines for diabetes, blood pressure, kidney problems, cardiac diseases and psychiatric ailments.
At the moment the Government is also providing free of cost, 107 drugs being prescribed at the Regional Cancer Centre for cancer patients, at the Government medical college hospitals and general hospital Ernakulam.
“Doctors have been asked prescribe generic drugs to patients. We have provided enough flexibility for common drugs,’’ said KMSCL joint MD R Kamlahar.
A section of experts said though the scheme was path-breaking, much would depend on the implementation.
They say a strict monitoring mechanism will have to be put in place to make doctors stick to the EDL.
===============================================
*BPL= Below poverty line, APL=Above poverty line
No comments:
Post a Comment