BMC to monitor medicine given to CIVIC hospitals

Mumbai: After receiving multiple complaints from the Food and Drug Association (FDA) and Directorate of Health Services (DHS), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is contemplating to introduce a barcode system to scan and register all medicines distributed in civic-run hospitals and health posts.

This system will ensure that no medicine supplied to the hospitals end up in the open market, said BMC health officers.

According to sources, it has been observed that often doctors ask patients to purchase medicines from other places citing that the required medicine is out of stock.

This puts an additional financial burden on poor patients. The barcode system will help curb the illegal sale of medicines and will also help to make the process more transparent.

Dr Ashwini Joshi, BMC additional commissioner said, “Soon a barcode will be placed on all medicines supplied to civic-run hospitals and dispensaries. The civic body is aiming to maintain transparency in the purchase and sale of medicines.”