Chief Minister Omar Abdullah approves formation of state medical supplies corporation

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today approved the formation of Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation (JKMSC) to facilitate procurement of standard and quality drugs, ensure foolproof arrangements of testing and to economise the purchase of drugs and other medical equipment.

The proposal to set up JKMSC was approved at a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister here, an official spokesman said.

Omar also gave nod to the constitution of JKMSC Board of Directors to be headed by the Chief Minister as its chairman and Minister for Medical Education and Minister of State for Health as vice-chairmen, he said.

Stressing on the formation of JKMSC in a time bound manner, the Chief Minister directed for finalising a comprehensive memo in this regard for the Cabinet.

Patient care should be of highest importance and hassle-free supply of quality medicines to hospitals should be ensured, Omar said.

While testing of all drugs should be carried out without fail, their supply and procurement need to be balanced in such a manner that it will ensure uninterrupted flow of quality medicines to hospitals, he said.

He approved release of 100 per cent plan allocation to the Health and Medical Education Departments for up-gradation of testing facilities in the state.

The possibility of need based roping in of reputed private laboratories should be explored to ensure quality of drugs, he said.

The meeting was informed that Jan Aushadhi Drug Stores will be opened in all district hospitals and associated hospitals and they will be run by Red Cross Society to ensure supply of quality drugs to patients at economical rates, the spokesman said adding that it was also stated that these stores will be operational within the six months.

The creation of JKMSC comes a month after the alleged spurious drug scam came to light in Kashmir.