SHILLONG: NEIGRIHMS has made it clear that the objective of the Institute is to make available drugs at affordable cost to the patients and beneficiaries.
In response to the news report regarding the functioning of medicine shops at NEIGRIHMS, the Institute on Monday asserted that it does not operate a free medicine shop.
According to the statement, one pharmacy outlet under the Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) programme of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is being run in a tie-up with government-owned HLL Lifecare Ltd (HLL) which is deputed to establish and run the AMRIT chain of pharmacies across the country.
“The AMRIT pharmacy is selling cancer, cardio-vascular drugs and cardiac implants at very affordable prices to patients, cheaper than the open market, as affordable medical care is the focus of the government, which has been notified on November 15, 2015”, the statement said.
According to the public relations officer, Kawa Krishen Pandita, NEIGRIHMS operates with the aim to provide universal access to good quality services at affordable cost, in line with the policy of the Centre.
Exclusive outlet on the anvil
The Institute will also establish exclusive outlets “Jan Aushadhi Medical Store”, so as to reduce expenses in healthcare.
The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana– wherein the sale of generic medicines through dedicated sales outlets called Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) will be carried out on the principle of “No Profit, No loss”.
The Institute said that the pharmacy outlet for offering drugs at affordable cost is being opened shortly in the campus, under Jan Aushadhi Scheme as per notification of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare which will be operated by M/s Hind Lab Care Ltd in collaboration of Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India in order to enable a focused and institutional approach.
In addition, in view of patient load and easy availability of drugs, surgical and allies store within the Institute premises, two pharmacies are operational on outsourced basis, one at the OPD area and the other at the Public Utility Block, finalised through open competitive bidding process with wide publicity.
“The pharmacy presently operational in the OPD area is on discount on MRP as per tender condition offered by M/s Life Care Pharmacy, Mawdiangdiang, and the other pharmacy at the Public Utility Block on the basis of license fee as per tender condition offered by M/s Lucky Division, Lawmali”, the Institute added.
