BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Monday directed the Health and Family Welfare Department to ensure that medicines supplied to patients under ‘Niramaya’ scheme are prescribed by doctors.Chief Secretary AP Padhi, who reviewed the activities of the Odisha State Medical Corporation (OSMC) here, asked the department to monitor whether the medicines are actually being prescribed by doctors and issued to the patients.He further directed the corporation to ensure adequate supply of medicines to Government hospitals.
“There should never be a stock-out position for 117 out of 558 medicines approved for procurement and supply under the popular scheme Niramaya,” Padhi said.The department was asked to have a dedicated telephone number for receiving complaints from the people when they do not get required medicine from the hospital stores. It was decided to undertake wide awareness activities about the effectiveness and quality of medicines being supplied under Niramaya.
Managing Director of OSMC Rabindra Pratap Singh said a consumption-based supply system of medicines has been adopted by the corporation. The indents for medicines are being received online and the software used by the corporation gives a clear position of delivery. Actual stock position at drug warehouses and hospitals can be tracked through this software, he added.
The corporation has around 39 drug warehouses in different parts of the State and each district has at least one warehouse for storage of medicines.
Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) have been empowered and provided with funds to procure medicines as per the local demand. The State Government has provided `254 crore in the current financial year for procurement of approved medicines under Niramaya scheme. Provision of around `58 crore has been made for local purchase of medicines by the CDMOs, said Health and Family Welfare Secretary Dr Pramod Meherda.