The State Government has purchased 422 varieties of medicines worth `165.06 crore under the Niramya Yojana. Of the total purchase, 20 varieties of medicines worth `16.02 crore have been purchased from different drug manufacturing units in Odisha and the rest 402 kinds bought from outside the State through e-tenders.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak informed this in the State Assembly in response to a question of BJD MlA Ranendra Pratap Swain.
It was found that 11 out of all varieties of medicines purchased under the Niyamay Yojana were found to be of low quality during tests.
A total of 3,751 medicine samples of 394 varieties were tested at various laboratories, including nine in Odisha, the Minister informed.
To a related question of another BJD MlA Debashis Nayak, the Minister informed that the newly constructed Medical Corporation had purchased general medicines, anti-cancer medicines, sutures, surgical and sanitary napkins worth `199.46 crore and medical equipment of `18.14 crore during the year 2015-16.
Regarding functions of the corporation, the Minister said it has been entrusted to purchase quality medicines and medical equipment at competitive rates and to supply medicines to different Government health centres through a central online system.
Besides, it would manage medicines stockrooms and stores opened at the health centres, the Minister informed.