By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) is set to provide branded medicines at significantly reduced prices, along with super speciality treatment. These medicines will be available at the Central Drug Store (Kendriya Aushadhi Shala) located within the hospital premises. From there, they will be supplied to medical stores in five hospital wards, including the emergency ward.
Patients will be able to access generic and branded medicines at prices 60–70% lower than market rates. The institute administration has issued a tender for 473 types of medicines, with the deadline set for 6 January 2025. This initiative aligns with similar practices in institutions like AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Patna, and SGPGI Lucknow, where branded medicine options are available.
The tender includes medicines from over five branded companies, with a total of 203 types of injections, as well as tablets, gels, and surgical items. For instance, a medicine priced at ₹100 in the market could be available for ₹30–40 at IGIMS if not provided at the government level. Stocks are expected to arrive shortly after the tender process is completed.
Currently, IGIMS caters to over 3,500–4,000 patients daily in its OPD and admits more than 150 emergency patients daily. In addition, 200–250 new admissions occur daily across wards like ICU, Cardiology, Paediatrics, Gastro Surgery, Urology, and Oncology, with around 1,550 in-patients at any given time.
Dr Manish Mandal, Medical Superintendent of IGIMS, stated that the initiative aims to enhance patient care. Branded medicines will be made available alongside free generic medicines provided by BMICL of the Health Department. This option ensures that patients and their families can access affordable alternatives, alleviating financial burdens without compromising quality care.
