Govt hospitals to buy medicines from govt-owned companies

Lucknow, Nov 30 (UNI) Union Fertiliser and Chemicals Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said the Centre would direct all the government hospitals in the country to purchase medicines from government-owned pharma companies.

''If only 30 per cent of medicines manufactured by government owned companies are purchased by these hospitals, then there should be no apprehension about their revival,'' he told mediapersons here.

Mr Paswan asserted the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the centre was committed to reviving the ailing Indian Drug&Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL). Efforts would also be made to strengthen Bengal Chemicals&Pharmaceutical Limted (BCPL).

He informed that the government had identified 886 essential and life saving drugs under price control.

Maintaining it was hard to control an industry, which had a turnover to the tune of Rs 54,000 crore, he said the government was committed to provide medicines to people at cheaper rates.

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