Maha: 24/7 generic medicine stores to be opened in civic hospitals

Each shop will have three registered pharmacists and the recruitment process for the post will be done soon. Since the shops will be open 24x7, patients in need of emergency medicines will benefit from these shops greatly.

It also came to light that the government of most of the states directs their doctors to prescribe generic medicines instead of branded ones due to the high cost which creates havoc for the patients.

‘’While branded medicines are costly, generic medicine can be availed for a much lower price. Generally, the price difference between branded and generic medicines can go up to 70%. This way, generic medicines can reduce the expense significantly,’’ Nitin Shinde, president of Prabodhan Goregaon Consumer Co-operative Society told HT.

“The NACOF has experience in setting up and running generic medicine shops in prominent hospitals in Delhi, including Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College and S K Hospital. Considering their experience and infrastructure the NACOF should be allowed to open generic medicine stores on the lines of ‘Amrut Stores’ in the area of hospitals run by urban local bodies,” the proposal note for cabinet approval read.

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