Generic drug stores to be set up near government hospitals

 The State government is contemplating setting up generic medical shops outside government hospitals under the Health department to enable poor patients buy drugs at 20 per cent of the maximum retail price.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Aravinda Limbavali said here on Wednesday that the generic medical shops would be handed over to co-operative societies, missionaries and non-governmental organisations on a non-profit basis. He was speaking at the inauguration of the newly constructed Sir C V Raman General Hospital.

The minister said the government had already been providing free medicines to patients with BPL cards and selling drugs to APL card holders at reduced prices. With the 108 ambulance service completing four years in the State, it was being planned to introduce ‘happy drop’ service - dropping mother and child from the hospital to their houses after the delivery. He said a 24-hour helpline - 104 - was also on the cards.

Sir CV Raman General Hospital is a 250-bed hospital located on Old Madras Road in Indiranagar, opposite  Vivekananda Metro station. The health facility has been constructed at a cost of Rs 30 crore in 24 months, and will be expanded to a 500-bed hospital. It has all the specialities including blood bank, pharmacy and multipurpose halls.