[e-drug] CDMU 25th anniversary celebrations (cont)

[owner-e-drug@usa.healthnet.org]

E-drug: CDMU 25th anniversary celebrations (cont)
---------------------------------------------

  Community development medicinal unit [CDMU] is an Indian non-profit 
voluntary organization established in 1984. Its primary aim is to 
supply essential drugs at low cost to voluntary organizations 
providing health care services. A campaign on rational use of drugs 
was launched simultaneously with the idea of influencing doctors and 
paramedics towards adopting a rational prescription habit and a 
rational attitude to drugs, appropriate to the needs of common 
people. CDMU membership has grown from 15 in 1985 to over 250 in 
1995. Today the number of members stands at around 170 in and around 
Calcutta and 147 in and around the branch office at Siliguri.
Most of these members are charitable and voluntary organizations in 
West Bengal.

Many experts and eminent personalities in the field of healthcare are 
now associated with the activities of CDMU either directly or in an 
advisory capacity. Encouraged by the activities of CDMU, 
organizations in Bihar and Orissa have sought our guidance and 
commenced work along similar lines.

Drug distribution outlets
CDMU has two outlets, one in Calcutta and the other in Siliguri in 
North Bengal. A central selection team of experts updates CDMU's drug 
list and list of suppliers every year after reviewing tender 
quotations submitted by various drug companies. There are no 
unproven, hazardous, irrational or bannable drugs in this list. The 
procured drugs are also tested for quality in appropriate 
laboratories if necessary.

Drugs are purchased in bulk directly from the manufacturers and can 
therefore be supplied to member organizations, even in remote areas, 
at prices substantially lower than in the open market.

We have planned to have a modest program on 21st October, 2002 in 
order to celebrate the 25th year of Essential Medicines here at 
Community Development Medicinal Unit [CDMU], Kolkata, India. At the 
least, we are trying to organize a seminar involving mainly the media 
people and also to publish a special volume of the 'Rational Drug 
Bulletin' [CDMU official publication, released quaterly] on the theme 
of Essential Drugs.

We shall be obliged if you kindly send a brief message / write-up on 
the above theme that we shall publish in the 'Rational Drug Bulletin' 
special issue and may be, if you kindly permit, in the local 
[Kolkata] press.

Further, let us seek your valued advice and comments that might guide 
us in making the program a success. You may also consider sending us 
relevant articles / news items / press release regarding the above 
subject for favor of use for the above purpose.

You may kindly send the document[s] as email 
[<mailto:cdmudocu@vsnl.com>cdmudocu@vsnl.com or 
<mailto:pharmaintel@vsnl.com>pharmaintel@vsnl.com] attachment.

Further activities are available at: 
<http://education.vsnl.com/cdmudocu/CDMUHome.htm>http://education.vsnl.com/cdmudocu/CDMUHome.htm
[long URL - needs repair. BS]
Thanks and regards.

Dr. Santanu K. Tripathi
Professor of Pharmacology
B S Medical College, Bankura &
Hony. Advisor, CDMU
Dr Tripathi <pharmaintel@vsnl.com>






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