The Tripura government will implement a decision to introduce generic medicines in the health sector. The launch will take place at the GB Pant Hospital, now a part of the Agartala government medical college, and gradually follow in other government hospitals of the state.
Tripura's Left Front government had taken a decision last October to bring in generic medicines, taking a cue from Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The move was aimed at minimising treatment costs.
“The health department would open a generic medicine sales counter at the GB Hospital and follow (up) in other areas gradually”, Health Minister Tapan Chakraborty announced in the ongoing Assembly session on Monday. Replying to a reference period notice, he said the Tripura state co-operative marketing federation would run the retail store, which will be equipped with trained pharmacists.
Officials said the Health Department has proposed 296 types of generic medicines for distribution in government hospitals, but the list would expand on basis of need and demand. The medicines are to be given free of cost to patients below the poverty line (BPL).
Mr. Chakraborty stated the government would evolve a system to create an adequate stock of generic medicines for their use even at rural dispensaries. Once the new treatment policy is implemented, government physicians would have to issue prescriptions on non-branded generic medicines, he added.
