Generic drug manufacturers now can supply to the MP government. The state health department has made an amendment to the drug policy, by which only branded drug manufacturers were allowed to participate in government tenders. | |
| "We will float tenders this week to purchase generic drugs," said Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi, adding, "we will allow manufacturers outside the state to participate in the bids. The total purchase may reach Rs 100 crore." |
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| The state government has recognised the need for drugs because a kind of viral fever called Chikungunya is now spreading in MP. It is a rare form of viral fever caused by an alphavirus, spread through mosquito bites. |
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| The name Chikungunya is derived from the Makonde, an ethnic group in southeast Tanzania, meaning "something that bends", referring to the stooped posture that results due to arthritic factors in the course of the disease. Until September 5, about 50,000 people have been reported to be suffering from the disease. |
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| The Madhya Pradesh Small Scale Drug Manufacturers' Association had pointed out sloppy rules in the drug policy earlier this year. Association President RA Sharma had said, "MP SSI units manufacture all medicinal items. Then, why are all-India tenders floated?" |
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| Madhya Pradesh small-scale units post an annual combined turnover of Rs 1,000 crore. With a shortage of drugs in government hospitals, the state government has released an amount of Rs 20 crore for an immediate purchase. |
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