Says Omar keen to upgrade healthcare status in J&K
JAMMU: The State Ca
binet which met here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah approved the J&K State Drug Policy.
Explaining the salient features of the policy, Health Minister Mr. Sham Lal Sharma said that the Drug Policy would help to ensure balanced growth of health sector in the State. It would also rationalize the use of drugs. He said that the features of drug policy include selection of essential drug list by expert committee to be known as State Drug Committee.
The Committee will comprise clinicians, Micro-biologists, qualified Pharmacists and independent experts besides senior functionaries of the departments. He said for Indian System of Medicines (ISM) there will be a separate committee.
Health Minister said that the policy has been formulated under the directions of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who is keen to upgrade the health care status of Jammu and Kashmir and universalize the quality health session across the State.
Sham Lal Sharma said that drug policy also envisages rationalizing number of drug licenses only drug listed in EDL shall be procured and the qualification of drugs would be done, taking into consideration the parameters of demand, lead time, transportation and emergency needs. He said an appropriate inventory control system to prevent excessive stocking of items and also present stock outlets has also been taken care of in the Drug Policy which also takes care of proper recall and disposal procedures followed as per standard guidelines. He said that the policy also envisages strengthening of Drug and Food Control Organization and Drug Testing Laboratories. It also provides for promoting rational use of drugs in the State so that patients receive the medicines appropriately. It also provides for drugs and therapeutic committees in all the hospitals. He said the concept of essential drugs, rational drug use and generic prescribing shall be integral part of basic and in-service training of health professionals under the policy.
He said Drug Information Centre would be established in the State to provide appropriate drug information. (KMW News)
