SHILLONG: The state government will implement the free drug policy from the beginning of the next financial year.
Addressing reporters here on Thursday, Health and Family Welfare minister AL Hek said that 72 essential items would be provided to patients free of cost 24X 7 in all government hospitals.
Hek said that the matter has been discussed with the chief minister and the department has been given the go ahead to implement the policy.
The new initiative will cost the exchequer around Rs 100 crore. The policy has been adopted in line with the free drug policy launched earlier by the Centre.
The funding pattern for the policy will be on a 90:10 basis under the Centre’s National Health Mission programme.
