U’khand: Govt to streamline drug purchase via online app e-Aushadhi
The Uttarakhand health department will introduce a web-based supply chain management application, e-Aushadhi to improve the stock and supply of drugs and surgical equipment in the health institutions of the state.
The Uttarakhand health department will introduce a web-based supply chain management application, e-Aushadhi to improve the stock and supply of drugs and surgical equipment in the health institutions of the state, an official said on Thursday.
The online application, developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), will monitor purchase, inventory management and distribution of various drugs, and surgical items to various drug warehouses of the state, district hospitals, primary health centres and community health centers, said Bhupinder Kaur, secretary health.
The software will ensure that the drug reaches the ultimate beneficiary with uncompromised quality and will also improve efficiency and effectiveness of procurement and distribution of drugs besides ensuring transparency in supply chain, Kaur told HT.
The Union ministry of health and family welfare has released Rs 15 crore to the state government for procuring generic medicines for state-run healthcare facilities in the current fiscal, he said.
“The software will bring transparency in supply chain management and support the state government in cutting cost of branded medicines.”
Asked about public “misconceptions” on generic medicines and doctors prescribing branded drugs, Kaur said, “It’s a total misconception that generic medicines aren’t effective. We need to change this attitude. Generic medicines come from centrally approved laboratories.”
“Doctors support branded medicines because of their interest, but generic medicines are equally viable.”
She said the government has asked the authorities of C-DAC to complete all the formalities as early as possible so that this system is adopted in the state for overall benefit of the people.
Benefits and objectives
To implement a transparent system for procurement, storage and distribution of quality drugs, supplies and equipment required for hospitals at reasonable competitive price
To ensure adequate savings in the drug budget by scientific forecasting system based on the preparation of essential drug list and its actual consumption
Monitoring the budget and drug consumption pattern by introducing passbook system
To improve infrastructure of the existing drug warehouse
Streamline drug warehouse management, quality management, equipment inventory management, equipment auction life cycle, human resource and finance management in an optimised and efficient manner
Enhance use of technology as a cost-effective solution to support the administration’s step towards new direction
Support the operational and strategic information needs of the administration
Provide an infrastructure for the sharing of information and computer applications throughout the hierarchy.