Proposal to Establish Affordable Medicine Outlets
Former Medical Superintendent of PGIMS Rohtak and senior paediatrician Dr Kundan Mittal has called on the Haryana government to establish Ayushman Drug Centres at major government hospitals and medical teaching institutions. The initiative aims to make medicines more affordable for patients and strengthen the public healthcare system in the state.
Dr Mittal highlighted that the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) and the Ayushman Bharat Scheme have already provided significant relief to economically weaker sections. However, he emphasised that their implementation at government hospitals could be further improved and expanded for greater public benefit.
Operational Model and Supervision
The proposed drug centres would operate under the supervision of Hospital Welfare Committees. They would procure medicines and consumables directly from authorised stockists or pharmaceutical companies. According to Dr Mittal, these items could be sold with a 20 per cent margin, similar to the PMBJP model. The revenue generated from these sales could then be utilised to improve hospital infrastructure and patient facilities.
Dr Mittal suggested that the centres should procure medicines based on doctors’ prescriptions whenever required, ensuring that patients’ treatment needs are met efficiently. This model would guarantee the availability of quality medicines while curbing the sale of spurious drugs and consumables.
Expected Benefits for Patients and System
One of the key advantages of establishing these centres would be the reduction in patients’ out-of-pocket expenditure on medicines. By offering affordable alternatives, the centres would lessen the financial burden on families, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. Additionally, the initiative would help strengthen the government healthcare system by improving access to essential drugs.
“The initiative will not only reduce the financial burden on families but also improve access to affordable medicines and strengthen the government healthcare system,” Dr Mittal added.
Context of Existing Schemes
The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched by the Government of India to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices. Under this scheme, Janaushadhi Kendras have been established across the country, offering medicines at prices significantly lower than market rates. Similarly, the Ayushman Bharat Scheme aims to provide health coverage to vulnerable families. Dr Mittal’s proposal builds on these existing frameworks by integrating them more closely with government hospital operations.
If implemented, the Ayushman Drug Centres would not only complement these schemes but also create a sustainable revenue stream for hospitals, enabling them to invest in better infrastructure and patient care services.
