Under the scheme, which was launched on October 2 last year, 414 most essential drugs, surgical instruments are being provided free of cost to all government hospitals and health centres across Rajasthan.
"More than 4.40 crore patients have benefited so far under the Chief Minister's Free Medicine Scheme. There is a 40 per cent increase in the number of patients being admitted to government hospitals after launch of the scheme," a press release said here.
A budget provision of Rs 200 crores was made in year 2011-12 and Rs 300 crores in 2012-13 for the scheme, it said.
There are 14,964 drug distribution centres in the state from where generic medicines are being distributed freen of cost.
