Ranchi: The Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Department of the Jharkhand government is aiming to set up generic medicine stores in all the panchayats of the state to ensure that the rural masses can buy medicines at affordable prices.
Under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, these drug stores will be able to sell generic medicines like aspirin, paracetamol, chloroquine salts, oral rehydration salts and other basic medical items. These remote drugstores will be exempted from having pharmacists and will be given restricted licenses. There are over 4,800 panchayats across the state.
“These drugstores will be in touch with the doctors of the local primary health center or community health center and will take their services for the care of rural patients,” said the department’s proposal undersigned by the health secretary. Arun Kumar Singh read.
The resolution states that Panchayat level drug stores will be able to buy life saving medicines from their counterparts along with pharmacists on the basis of prescriptions issued in the name of patients. Block Development Officers have been authorized to invite applications from interested parties for opening of shops. Panchayats with a population of 5,000 and above can have two drug stores. Those wishing to open a store will need at least an intermediate degree. Applicants who are domicile of Panchayat and have their own shops will be given preference. “Work is already underway to make these drug stores operational in the next financial year. The drug stores will also double as telemedicine centers for rural people by connecting to the 104 helpline of the government,” said an official.
Under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, these drug stores will be able to sell generic medicines like aspirin, paracetamol, chloroquine salts, oral rehydration salts and other basic medical items. These remote drugstores will be exempted from having pharmacists and will be given restricted licenses. There are over 4,800 panchayats across the state.
“These drugstores will be in touch with the doctors of the local primary health center or community health center and will take their services for the care of rural patients,” said the department’s proposal undersigned by the health secretary. Arun Kumar Singh read.
The resolution states that Panchayat level drug stores will be able to buy life saving medicines from their counterparts along with pharmacists on the basis of prescriptions issued in the name of patients. Block Development Officers have been authorized to invite applications from interested parties for opening of shops. Panchayats with a population of 5,000 and above can have two drug stores. Those wishing to open a store will need at least an intermediate degree. Applicants who are domicile of Panchayat and have their own shops will be given preference. “Work is already underway to make these drug stores operational in the next financial year. The drug stores will also double as telemedicine centers for rural people by connecting to the 104 helpline of the government,” said an official.