Check medicine stock at govt hosps: Dy CM

To ensure preparedness of public medical facilities to attend to patients, deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak has directed health officials to visit and check stock of medicines at government hospitals. Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio, asked all chief medical officers and chief medical superintendents across the state to make sure that patients coming to the OPD and those admitted in government hospitals are only provided in-house medicines.

“A team of doctors and paramedical staff should be available in the hospital round the clock to cater to patients suffering from dengue, chikungunya and viral fever. Health officials should personally check stock of medicine, particularly those used by patients of heart ailment, diabetic, and hypertension,” said Pathak. Also, the stock of life-saving medicine should be regularly maintained in emergency wards, added the deputy CM.

Pathak also directed officials to ensure that there are no expired medicines in stock. He said that the date of expiry of medicines should at least be a year ahead while being purchased. “If any medicine is nearing its expiry date, it can be provided to other government hospital where there is patient demand for the same. Medicines should not go waste due to expiry,” said the deputy chief minister. He added, “Provide medicine for up to 15 days, if required. This would save patients a trip to hospital just to get medicine.”

Dr Abhishek Shukla, secretary general, Association of Iinternational Doctors, said, “If hospitals provide the medicine, the patient will not have to run from one medical store to another as often not all medicines, prescribed to a patient are available at one medical store. Besides, in-house medicines help poor patients save money.”