Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that medicines prescribed by AYUSH doctors/ practitioners are not available to the CGHS beneficiaries, specially in the State of Maharashtra;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has any plan to fully cover the AYUSH medicines under CGHS, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) & (b): Formulary AYUSH medicines are generally available at CGHS AYUSH Dispensaries /Units. If any particular medicine is not readily available in Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy, the same is indented through Authorized Local chemist (ALC) in Delhi. For Siddha Dispensaries, which are functional in Delhi and Chennai, there is no ALC. There is no ALC in other Cities, including the State of Maharashtra. The AYUSH medicines which are not available in CGHS Wellness Centres outside Delhi, the same may be purchased by the CGHS beneficiaries and reimbursement claimed thereof.
(c) & (d): CGHS normally provides AYUSH medicines as per the approved formularies. Any other specific medicine prescribed by the doctor can be claimed for reimbursement by the beneficiary. In Delhi, CGHS also procures them through ALCs.
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