Question : MEDICINES TO CGHS BENEFICIARIES

(a) whether the Government is aware that CGHS beneficiaries are forced to accept medicines manufactured by sub-standard/local companies on the criteria that they have the identical formulation/salt as prescribed by specialists and senior doctors;

(b) if so, the facts and reasons therefor;

(c) whether there is any mechanism to check potential of medicines manufactured by unbranded companies to ensure the patients get quality medicines of full potency;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for not providing medicines of branded companies/MNCs; and

(e) the measures proposed to check such practices and ensure supply of quality medicines to CGHS beneficiaries?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a)& b): No. Medicines prescribed by the specialists are issued by the same brand name if it is available in the stock. In case, it is not available by the same brand name, medicines having the identical pharmaceutical and therapeutic value are dispensed to the beneficiary.

The medicines procured by CGHS are of good quality and these undergo quality testing at different levels of manufacturing and procurement.

(c) & (d): Medicines procured by CGHS are tested for its quality at two Government approved laboratories. CGHS also procures 272 commonly prescribed branded medicines of reputed manufacturers including MNCs under the rate contract and medicines are supplied directly to the Wellness Centers.

(e): Under CGHS, pre-testing is undertaken before the medicines are procured centrally to ensure that the quality and potency of medicines are not compromised and medicines supplied are of high quality and potency. In addition, random sampling and testing is done to ensure that quality medicines are provided to CGHS beneficiaries.