J&K upgrades free drugs, diagnostics policy for health centres

Srinagar, Feb 17: In a significant development, the Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department has upgraded drugs and diagnostics under the existing free drugs and diagnostic policy for health centres across the Union Territory.
In May last year, the H&ME Department had constituted a committee to finalize the list of free drugs and diagnostics to be made available at PHCs and sub-centres (Health & Wellness Centres) across Jammu and Kashmir.
The committee comprised Director Finance, Health & Medical Education Department, representative from Director, Health Services, Kashmir, representative from Director, Health Services, Jammu, representative from JKMSCL and representative from NHM.
As per an order of H&ME, an Essential Drug List for government hospitals of J&K was notified in 2018. Later, a revised EDL was notified in 2019 and 2022 respectively for its implementation in hospitals in J&K.
However, when the committee was constituted, Mission Director, NHM J&K proposed to increase the number of drugs and diagnostics at Health & Wellness Centers as per the guidelines issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
“Now, therefore, the department, upon acceptance of the recommendations of the committee and in supersession of all previous orders/notifications on the subject, hereby notifies the list of free drugs and diagnostics forming as Annexure A & B to this Government order,” the order said.
The order is for its implementation in the Public Health Centres (PHCS) & Sub Centres (Health & Wellness Centres) of Jammu and Kashmir with immediate effect.
The upgraded drugs include anti-fungal medicines, anti-anemia medicines, cardiovascular medicines, anti-hypertension, drugs used in shock and heart failure, dermatological medicines, gastrointestinal medicines, ophthalmological medicines, contraceptives etc.
Similarly, the order includes 38 essential diagnostics for the hospitals recommended as per the revised Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) guidelines.
An official of the health department said that the move has paved the way to resolve the issue of patients, particularly poor patients who can’t afford the drugs at the private pharmacies.