Odisha CM announces launching of free medicine scheme

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced launching of 'Niramaya', a free medicine distribution scheme in all the government hospitals of the state from May 1.
Patnaik made this announcement while inaugurating the new office building of Odisha State Medical Corporation (OSMC), the agency that would look after free distribution of medicines among the patients visiting government hospitals.
He also addressed a seminar on 'Operationalisation of Free Medicine Distribution Scheme.'
"The state government has allocated about Rs 200 crore in the budget this time for free distribution of medicines through OSMC," Patnaik said, adding, that drug distribution counters would soon be opened in medical colleges, district headquarters hospitals, community health centres, public health centres and other state run health service providers.

Besides, Patnaik said 598 additional posts of pharmacists would be created in district level for smooth management of the scheme.
"Every prescription given by doctors shall be scanned and kept for records for prescription audit," Patnaik, said, adding that the OSMC will set highest standard quality maintenance so as to provide safe medicines to the people.

This facility will initially start at the medical colleges and district hospitals and gradually be extended to CHCs and PHCs, Patnaik said.
He also said that the state government has also decided to provide specialised medicines to cancer, haemophilia, thalassemia sickle cell diseases, psychiatric patients before end of the year.

This apart, the government was also contemplating to provide free of cost diagnostics facilities in different health centres.