An amount of Rs.5000 crore is being spent this year for the universal health coverage with a push to the generic drugs, through the National Rural Health Mission, flagship programmes and otherwise, according to additional secretary and NRHM mission director Anuradha Gupta.

“It is not correct that we are not pushing the generic drugs. We have allocated Rs.3500 crore under the universal health coverage and taken all efforts to promote generic drugs. We have directed all the States in this regard,” Gupta told Pharmabiz on the general complaint that NRHM was not giving adequate spur to generic drugs.

Out of the total sanctioned amount of Rs.3500 crore so far, Rs.2000 crore was allotted only for drug purchase and the Government had asked the States give priority to generic drugs. Most of the States have implemented the projects in this line, she added.

“Additional incentive up to five per cent of state’s total resource outlay is also available if the state has a clearly articulated policy for free distribution of essential drugs in public health facilities,” she said.

The Planning Commission had projected Rs.6000 crore per year to meet the expenses of supplying free medicines through public healthcare establishments. The Government had sanctioned Rs.5000 crore this fiscal year against the projection, the senior official explained.

According to the estimates by the Planning Commission, a total of Rs.30,000 crore was required for the programme during the current 12th Five Year Plan period. The government had finally approved Rs.16,000 crore for buying the generic drugs under different central and state health programmes for the period.

“Public Health is a state subject and the primary responsibility of providing healthcare including free essential medicines rests with the State Governments. The State Governments are provided financial support under the National Health Mission, based on demands projected by State Governments, for overall health system strengthening including support for provision of free essential drugs in public health facilities. This support is subject to states setting up robust procurement and IT enabled logistic systems, quality assurance systems, having facility wise essential drug lists (EDLs), standard treatment guidelines and prescription audits,” official sources said.

According to the observations of the common review mission (CRM), there was gap in the supply of drugs and kits to peripheral workers and the lack of local specific action for very high endemic pockets. The sixth review mission also had called for the supply of free drugs, diagnostics and diet in public hospitals.