Pharma firms to adopt backward districts

Backward districts in the country may soon be adopted by Indian pharma companies, which will create drug banks and service the healthcare needs of the population in such areas.

As part of the first ever public-private initiative of this kind, the department of chemicals & petrochemicals is drawing up a plan for below poverty line (BPL) families.

A pilot project will start on January 26, 2007, with two-three districts from every state being a part of the programme, which envisages creation of roughly 600 drug banks.

Emphasising that the scheme would require three-way co-operation among state governments, drug-makers and the central government, a senior official said, "While the state and this department will provide a one-time grant of Rs 15 lakh as seed money for a drug bank in every district, the pharma company (which has adopted the district) will bring in an equal amount, either in cash or in the form of medicines."

The department has already sent letters, on the proposal, to industry associations like Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association, and Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India and the state governments of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar and Maharashtra.

The drug banks "" to be established on the lines of medicare societies inside district hospitals in Rajasthan "" will procure medicines from the foster pharma company and sell it at 50 per cent discount to the district population at large and free of cost to BPL families.

The second component of the "adoption" strategy entails a pharma company conducting at least six free medical camps every year in its adopted district, with the expenses being borne by it and the state government pitching in with medical staff.

"BPL patients diagnosed for further treatment or surgery will have to be referred to higher care hospitals by the foster pharma company," he said.

HEALTH PLAN

A plan, including drug banks and healthcare service for below poverty line families, is being prepared

A pilot project will start on January 26, with two-three districts from every state being a part of the programme

The second component of the "adoption" strategy entails a pharma company conducting at least six free medical camps every year in its adopted district

The department has already sent letters on the proposal to industry associations like Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association, and Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India