Types of medicines approved for procurement and supply under the programme of Niramaya has been enhanced to 558 for the year 2017-18 against the total 499 approved in 2016-17.
This was known from a review of the Odisha State Medical Corporation (OSMC) taken by Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi recently.
Padhi directed to ensure adequate supply of the medicines at hospitals’ stores. He also directed to keep track whether the medicines are actually being prescribed and issued to patients.
The Chief Secretary made it categorically clear that there should never be a ‘stock out position’ for 117 types of fast-moving and more-demanded medicines.
A system of developing ‘social watch’ through third party team having a missionary zeal in the matter was also suggested at the meeting.
Padhi asked Health and Family Welfare Secretary Pramod Meherda to keep a track whether the medicines supplied are being prescribed by doctors and actually being distributed to patients through close supervision and monitoring.
He further directed to popularise a telephone number for complain by people when they get the required medicine from the hospital stores.
OSMC Managing Director Rabindra Pratap Singh said, “A consumption-based supply system of medicines has been adopted by the corporation. The indents for the medicines are received through online software and the supply position is also being reflected in the same online system. Actual stock position at the drug warehouses and hospitals can be tracked through this software.”
The OSMC has 39 drug warehouses in different parts of the State. Each district has at least one drug warehouse. The medicines are supplied to the warehouses as per the advance indents; from where those are being supplied to hospital stores. The Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) have been empowered and provided with funds to procure the medicines as per the local demands.
For the current year, an amount of Rs 254 crore has been provided in the first phase for procurement of approved medicines under the Niramaya scheme. A provision of around Rs 58 crore has also been made for local purchase of medicines by the CDMOs.