JNIMS pharmacies in peril as Govt fails to pay up
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 23 2019: The pharmacies supplying medicines to JNIMS under the Chief Ministergi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT) scheme, are in a fix as the State Government has reportedly failed to provide the necessary funds for the said scheme.

According to a reliable source, seven pharmacies namely SAI Medicos, Ibudhou Marjing Pharmacy, Indian Surgical, Xenon Pharmacy, SK Pharmacy, Iboyaima Pharmacy and JN Pharmacy, had been tasked with supplying free medicines to the patients undergoing treatment at JNIMS under CMHT scheme.

Explaining that CMHT covers around Rs 2 lakh in treatment expenses for the card holders, including investigation and medicine charges, the source informed that the patients (CMHT card holder) at JNIMS take their medicine from the said pharmacies by bringing the medicine prescription note/receipt given by JNIMS doctors.

JNIMS pharmacies in peril as Govt fails to pay up

The source informed that the expense for the medicine is later recovered by the pharmacies from the authorities concerned with the help of a copy of the discharge certificate given to them by the CMHT patient on being discharged from JNIMS.

However, the source alleged that the process takes time and the money is not consistent as well and added that over and above this, the pharmacies have not received any necessary funds for the past 5-6 months.

The Government owes around Rs 50 lakh and above to each of the pharmacies currently, the source claimed, adding that this has resulted in the pharmacies not being able to properly supply medicines to the patients now.

Speaking about the gravity of the situation, the source informed that out of the seven pharmacies, SAI Pharmacy supplies medicines prescribed by doctors for patients with blood cancer.

But as the State Government owes more than Rs 40 lakh to the pharmacy, it has now been 2-3 months since the pharmacy has not been able to provide expensive medicines to the patients.

All these has led to concern that CMHT might become a failure at JNIMS, the source added.

On the other hand, the source also questioned the logic behind the attempt by JNIMS authorities and the Government to employ more pharmacies to supply medicines to the CMHT patients at JNIMS.