Uttarakhand to implement online application to manage supply of drugs

The Uttarakhand health department has taken the initiative to implement a web-based supply chain management application for drug distribution to the health institutions in the state. The project is titled e-Aushadhi, and will be deployed only to improve the stock management for supply of drugs and surgical equipment in the health institutions of the state.

The online application has been developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). It will help in monitoring supply to various drug warehouses of the state, district hospitals, primary health centres and community health centers.

This application will also formulate a transparent system for procurement, storage and distribution of quality drugs, supplies and equipment required for hospitals at reasonable competitive price. It will bring more efficiency in supply chain management by improving the existing infrastructure.

The software will ensure that the drug reaches the ultimate beneficiary with uncompromised quality and will also improve efficiency and effectiveness of procurement and distribution of drugs besides ensuring transparency in supply chain, Bhupinder Kaur, secretary health told HT.

The Union ministry of health and family welfare has released Rs 15 crore to the state government for procuring generic medicines for state-run healthcare facilities in the current fiscal, he said.

Asked about public “misconceptions” on generic medicines and doctors prescribing branded drugs, Kaur said, “It’s a total misconception that generic medicines aren’t effective. We need to change this attitude. Generic medicines come from centrally approved laboratories.”