Govt to supply generic medicines free of cost


 Tuesday, June 19, 2012: With a view to checking the spurt in prices of common medicines, Kerala government has decided to supply generic medicines free of cost to non-income tax payers and those who did not have government jobs.
A one per cent cess would be levied on annual turnover of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation to mobilise the fund for supplying generic medicines free, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters after a cabinet meeting here.
The scheme would be implemented from November 1, the state formation day. Generic medicines were already supplied free to patients in government hospitals and the new scheme was to distribute these medicines to other poor people, he said.
In view of spread of various types of fever with the onset of monsoon in parts of the state, the cabinet decided to augment staff strength in district level hospitals by appointing temporary hands for six months, Chandy said.
More than 1900 health workers, including 209 doctors, would be appointed on a temporary basis in 14 districts by a committee headed by District Medical Officer, State Health Minister VS Sivakumar said. Government would also ensure that necessary medicines were available in government hospitals, he added.

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