PGI will come up with its own pharmacy

PGIMER officials are working towards setting up its own pharmacy, which will provide minimum 50 per cent discount (or more) on all drugs to its patients. The final report has been approved by the PGI director and the location to set up the pharmacy has been decided.

The renovation work has started and the authorities claim that in the next seven-eight months, the PGI will come up with its own pharmacy. The purpose would be to cater to poor patients coming to PGI who are at times ‘overcharged’ by private chemists, officials said.

Earlier, on June 15, the final report about the PGI’s own pharmacy was approved by the institute’s Director and the pharmacy committee. The report was prepared by the six-member committee after studying the best pharmacy models of other hospitals.

“Now, we are working on the Standard Operating Protocol, which will be presented to the Standing Finance Committee for clearance. The meeting will be held in August,” said Dr Arvind Rajwanshi, head, cytology department. He is also heading the six-member committee involved in the project.

The institute would demand nearly Rs 50 crore from the Health Ministry for execution of the project.

“The amount will be refundable. We are positive about getting our proposal and funds sanctioned from the health ministry. Once approved, we will start the execution work,” Dr Rajwanshi added.

To begin with, the PGI is going to start one pharmacy, which will be in the place of current pharmacy in the Nehru building. “We have already directed that the current pharmacy be vacated as we have to start the renovation. Currently, it caters to only staff, but the new pharmacy will serve all PGI patients. It will have eight counters opened for different categories like indoor, outdoor patients and others,” Dr Rajwanshi said.

Further, in the standard operating protocols other issues like staff recruitment, legal formalities, storage facilities, cold-room, method of procuring medicines, administration charges and other details will be decided.

Unlike the old pharmacy, the new one will not come under the Medical Superintendent. It will be chaired by an independent professor in-charge and will be following all financial rules.

“PGI will directly contact the manufacturing companies for procuring drugs. We will procure medicines at high discount from companies and will sell it further to patients. Patients will be given medicines at minimum 50% of discount. It can be more than 50% but not less. Nothing will be free,” said Dr Rajwanshi.

Talking about another facility, Dr Rajwanshi said, “We are planning to increase the hospital admission fees by Rs 100-150 per day and in return we will supply to patients basic things such as cotton, gauge, needles, bandage, IV fluids in every ward.”

He said that these items are most commonly used in wards for indoor patients, and every now and then attendants have to run to the chemist shop.

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