
Medicine supply: HLL inks deal with Maldives govt
HLL Lifecare
signed a strategic partnership with the govt of Maldives for supply of essential medicines. State Trading Organization Plc (STO), a govt of Maldives enterprise responsible for the import and distribution of essential goods, signed the agreement with HLL under India's
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
(PMBJP), a govt initiative aimed at providing affordable, high-quality medicines to the public.This partnership ensures a continuous and affordable supply of essential medicines to every corner of the Maldives. Over the past year, the Maldives' health system faced challenges with frequent stock-outs of vital pharmaceuticals, disrupting patient care and placing significant strain on Aasandha, the national health insurance scheme.Emergency imports restored 99% of the availability of essential medicines by April, but short-term solutions alone cannot ensure sustainable access.
This agreement with HLL turns emergency relief into a permanent supply solution. This history of collaboration gives STO confidence that HLL can meet its needs. TNN

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Kishan urges CM to implement Ayushman Bharat Scheme in TG
Hyderabad: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said that lifestyle changes are causing people to fall ill, forcing 95 out of 100 persons have to visit a doctor. Addressing the media after launching the Telangana's Marketing and Distribution Warehouse of Pradhana Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadi Pariyojana (PMBJP) along with the State Governor Jishnu Dev Verma on Sunday, he said, 'Retirees have to spend their entire pension on medical expenses. Even poor and middle class people, if they fall ill, have to spend their entire life's earnings on medical treatment. That is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking many initiatives for the health of the poor and middle class people. He has brought the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides free insurance of Rs. 5 lakh per year to every person, and has successfully provided the facility of treatment in any hospital. We are providing free treatment to senior citizens above 70 years of age through the Ayushman Bharat scheme'. He said the Centre introduced wellness centers christened as Basti Dawakhanas in Telangana. This entire system is run by the central government. The Jan Aushadi Kenderas is meant to provide medicines at very low prices to make them affordable to the people. Further, Kishan Reddy said that medicines are provided at 50 to 90 percent less than the prices of medicines in general medical shops. In addition, they are providing employment to the unemployed youth for which the Centre is providing huge subsidy to start them. The objective was to set up Jan Aushadhi Kendras on a large scale to provide medicines to the poor at low prices. The Union Minister said that he was happy to inaugurate the depot for Jan Aushadi Kendras in Telangana. Earlier, 'the then Chief Minister K Chandraskehara Rao did not implement the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. I request Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme effectively in the state,' he said.


Hans India
7 days ago
- Hans India
State defends move to discontinue Jan Aushadhi Kendras in govt hospitals
Bengaluru: Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has defended the state government's decision to discontinue Jan Aushadhi Kendras operating within government hospital premises, saying the move is intended to ensure the free and assured supply of essential medicines to patients and to reduce their out-of-pocket expenditure. Rao's clarification came in response to concerns raised by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda in a recent letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding the closure of JAKs within government hospitals in Karnataka. In a letter addressed to Nadda on August 5, Rao stated that the Karnataka government is committed to the free supply of all essential medicines, as listed in the Essential Medicines List (EML), across government healthcare institutions. To streamline public healthcare delivery and eliminate the risk of patients being denied medicines at government facilities, the State Government has directed that prescriptions by government doctors be limited to medicines available within the hospital supply, Rao said. He further explained that medicines are regularly provided to government hospitals through the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL). Hospitals have also been allocated sufficient funds and have standing instructions to purchase medicines locally in case of any shortage. 'This effort aims to ensure universal access to essential medicines for patients visiting government hospitals—entirely free of cost,' Rao said. Justifying the move to discontinue JAKs within government hospital premises, the minister said the decision was taken to prevent doctors from directing patients to purchase medicines from these outlets, thereby ensuring they are not denied free medicines available at the hospitals. 'However, this decision does not restrict the operation of Jan Aushadhi Kendras outside government premises. Citizens remain free to access them as per their choice,' Rao clarified. He noted that Karnataka ranks among the top states in terms of the number of operational JAKs, with over 1,417 currently functioning. Of these, only 184 are located within the premises of government hospitals under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, while the rest operate independently outside government campuses. 'This move is primarily aimed at benefiting poor and marginalised patients who rely heavily on government hospitals for healthcare,' Rao said. Highlighting the affordability of medicines sold under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), Rao noted that the scheme offers medicines at prices 50-80 per cent lower than branded alternatives. He added that PMBJP is implemented by the Pharma and Medical Bureau of India (PMBI), a society registered under the Societies Registration Act. 'It is requested that PMBI be directed to supply medicines to the Karnataka Health Department at the same rates offered to JAKs. This will go a long way in supporting the state's free drug supply initiative,' Rao urged in the letter. Reiterating the state's commitment to affordable and quality healthcare, Rao said Karnataka is continually working to improve its public health supply chain and ensure rational medicine usage. 'We deeply value your concern for public health and reaffirm our shared commitment to the welfare of the people,' he concluded.


Time of India
06-08-2025
- Time of India
K'taka defends move to discontinue Jan Aushadhi Kendras in govt hospitals; Minister writes to Nadda
Bengaluru: Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has defended the state government's decision to discontinue Jan Aushadhi Kendras operating within government hospital premises, saying the move is intended to ensure the free and assured supply of essential medicines to patients and to reduce their out-of-pocket expenditure. Rao's clarification came in response to concerns raised by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda in a recent letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding the closure of JAKs within government hospitals in Karnataka. In a letter addressed to Nadda on August 5, Rao stated that the Karnataka government is committed to the free supply of all essential medicines, as listed in the Essential Medicines List (EML), across government healthcare institutions. To streamline public healthcare delivery and eliminate the risk of patients being denied medicines at government facilities, the State Government has directed that prescriptions by government doctors be limited to medicines available within the hospital supply, Rao said. He further explained that medicines are regularly provided to government hospitals through the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL). Hospitals have also been allocated sufficient funds and have standing instructions to purchase medicines locally in case of any shortage. "This effort aims to ensure universal access to essential medicines for patients visiting government hospitals-entirely free of cost," Rao said. Justifying the move to discontinue JAKs within government hospital premises, the minister said the decision was taken to prevent doctors from directing patients to purchase medicines from these outlets, thereby ensuring they are not denied free medicines available at the hospitals. "However, this decision does not restrict the operation of Jan Aushadhi Kendras outside government premises. Citizens remain free to access them as per their choice," Rao clarified. He noted that Karnataka ranks among the top states in terms of the number of operational JAKs, with over 1,417 currently functioning. Of these, only 184 are located within the premises of government hospitals under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, while the rest operate independently outside government campuses. "This move is primarily aimed at benefiting poor and marginalised patients who rely heavily on government hospitals for healthcare," Rao said. Highlighting the affordability of medicines sold under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana ( PMBJP ), Rao noted that the scheme offers medicines at prices 50-80 per cent lower than branded alternatives. He added that PMBJP is implemented by the Pharma and Medical Bureau of India (PMBI), a society registered under the Societies Registration Act. "It is requested that PMBI be directed to supply medicines to the Karnataka Health Department at the same rates offered to JAKs. This will go a long way in supporting the state's free drug supply initiative," Rao urged in the letter. Reiterating the state's commitment to affordable and quality healthcare, Rao said Karnataka is continually working to improve its public health supply chain and ensure rational medicine usage. "We deeply value your concern for public health and reaffirm our shared commitment to the welfare of the people," he concluded. PTI