EDL

One of the stellar initiatives in the health sector launched by the Government of India during the year 2013-14 is the “National Health Mission – Free Drug Service”. It is aimed at providing effective healthcare support to the needy and giving them access to essential medicines free of cost at Government Health Institutions and Hospitals.

Over the years, cost of healthcare in the country has gone up significantly putting tremendous strain on the public, particularly the rural populace. In order to ease the financial burden of the common people seeking relief from various ailments, Govt of Assam and National Health Mission Assam has implemented the scheme of providing essential drugs & surgical etc. free of cost at all Government Health Institutions. Now in accordance with General ailments, Govt. of Assam is committed for taking care of their patient from the life-threatening diseases like cancer, hemophilia, neonatal, thelesemia, neurological, cardiological, nephrological disorders etc.

The essential drugs are procured in generic form and provided free of cost to all OPD and IPD patients in Government hospitals in Assam. Both the Central and State Government provide budgetary support for this initiative of providing essential drugs free of cost to patients visiting Government hospitals.

In view of Sustainable Development Goals of GoI to achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all categories of patient , the State of Assam has notified the Essential Drugs List (EDL) to treat communicable and non-communicable diseases with a broader view to ease the financial burden of the common people seeking relief from various ailments as well as those diseases where the drug-treatment therapy is found too costly for a BPL as well as APL family. Hence, Government of Assam had implemented the scheme of providing essential drugs & surgical almost of all categories free of cost at all Government Health Institutions including PHC/CHC/DH/Medical colleges spread over 33 districts of the State and EDL has been notified taking the standard of National Essential Drug List (NELM).

List of Warehouse

Ordered drugs are generally delivered by manufactures directly at the different District Drug Stores and Stores of Medical College & Hospitals in accordance to the distribution plan finalized at the State level. The goods are received, inspected and stock-charged at the District Drug Stores of Medical College & Hospitals in the DVDMS portal on the basis of which payments are released to vendors. The District Drug Stores Manager (DDSM) further distribution of goods to the peripheral health institutions by utilizing the service of Block Pharmacists on the basis of demands. Adequate funds are made available to the districts for movement of drugs from warehouse to different health institutions including District Hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and Sub Centres. The DDSM is also responsible for timely replenishment of stocks and management of inventory. For drugs and consumables, the system of “first expiry, first out” is followed. Transactions (receipts & issues) are recorded in DVDMS portal.

List of District Drug Ware Houses & Stores of Medical College Hospitals.