Will ensure proper drug supply to rural dispensaries: Punjab

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government on Monday assured the Punjab and Haryana high court that it would ensure regular supply of medicine to all rural dispensaries in the state.

Punjab government counsel Gaurav Garg Dhuriwala told the division bench of justice SK Mittal and justice HS Sidhu that a proper system had been devised for delivering medicines.

Orders for medicines worth ` 9.86 crore were placed on various firms for supply of 35 medicines and 7 consumables and have been received in warehouses. Now onwards, regular supply of medicines shall be ensured to all 1,186 rural dispensaries, Dhuriwala told the high court.

Following the assurance, the high court disposed of the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate HC Arora seeking regular supply of free medicines all rural dispensaries in Punjab. However, the court has made it clear that in case regular supply of medicines, as being made at present, is discontinued, the petitioner could file for revival of petition.

The government, in its affidavit, had admitted that supply of drugs was discontinued during 2013 but later in 2014, the supply was resumed.