[india-drug] EDL at PHC

["DSPRUD" <dsprud@satyam.net.in>]

EDL at PHC
----------

Dear India-drug participants,

   The new National Health Policy, which was approved by the Cabinet
yesterday has components regarding the use of drugs which need to be
considered very carefully.  A policy decision has been taken that the
Central Government will pay for essential drugs at the Primary Health
Care level in all the states.  This is a major departure as Health has 
always been considered to be a state subject.  How this money on
medicines will be spent at the state and perhaps panchayat level is a
great challenge for all of us involved in rational use of drugs.  The
government feels that the whole Primary Health Care system which is
collapsing in many ways can be revived by approved essential drugs and 
that is why this is being done.  However there is a great chance that
the funds for medicines at the Primary Health Care level would be
misused and that the benefits would not reach the people at the Primary
Health Care level unless immediate steps are taken to ensure a good
system for use of these funds and distribution of medicines.  I believe
that all persons in our network should be closely concerned about this
new development.  In many other ways also the new health policy has
recognised the importance of the rational use of drugs and the list of
essential drugs in this 25th year of celebration of the Essential Drugs
List of WHO. 
    I would be very interested to receive your comments on this
subject. 

With all good wishes,
Yours sincerely,

PROF. RANJIT ROY CHAUDHURY
PRESIDENT,
DELHI SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF RATIONAL USE OF DRUGS,
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF IMMUNOLOGY,
ARUNA ASAF ALI MARG,
NEW DELHI - 110 067

Tel.: 91.11.6179638 & 6165776
Fax: 91.11.6162125



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