CM Sukhu on Tuesday directed the Health Department to prepare a new Essential Drugs List aimed at ensuring the availability of high-quality medicines in government health institutions across the state. The proposed list will be reviewed by a High Power Committee before implementation.
Presiding over a review meeting of the Health Department, the Chief Minister said the state’s move toward direct procurement from manufacturers is a strategic step to improve transparency and efficiency in the supply chain, rather than merely a cost-cutting exercise. By eliminating intermediaries, the government aims to prevent delays and ensure uninterrupted availability of life-saving drugs, for which necessary provisions will be made.
Emphasizing patient safety, Sukhu directed officials to strengthen the system of sampling and quality testing of medicines supplied to government health facilities. Dedicated quality-testing cells will be established in each medical college, with adequate staff, training, and modern equipment provided by the state government. In the first phase, these cells will be set up at IGMC Shimla and Dr. RPGMC Tanda.
The Chief Minister also instructed strict monitoring of medicines manufactured by pharmaceutical companies operating in Himachal Pradesh. He directed officers to rigorously enforce the provisions of Schedule-M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, reiterating that no compromise would be made on patients’ health.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
