Andhra Pradesh has set a new benchmark and standard for all states in India, as they have decided to fully regulate the sale of medicines in the state.
In a first of it’s type initiative, all medicines to be sold in the state of Andhra Pradesh would be linked with an ID Card, and that means, if a person has no ID card, then that person can no longer buy medicines.
Will this stop the practices of fake doctors?
Andhra Pradesh’s Digital Push: ID Based Medicine Purchase!
Andhra Pradesh has launched India’s first ‘The Comprehensive Drug Monitoring System’ (CDMS), which aims to regulate the sale of medicines in the state, and stop the practices of fake doctors and fake prescriptions.
There are around 60,000 fake doctors who are not authorized to treat patients, and this new Digital-based initiative is seen as a major step towards that.
A budget of Rs 1.2 crore has already been sanctioned to make the process even more fine and smooth.
Sale of unauthorized medicines is already a big issue, as it gives rise to addiction.
In July this year, we had reported that Govt. of India is trying to regulate entire pharmaceutical industry, and a comprehensive system is being designed, wherein any unauthorized dealer or retailer cannot even sell a single tablet without monitoring.
Now, Andhra Pradesh has actually implemented one such system, which may become the benchmark for other states as well.
How It Will Work?
First of all, the Comprehensive Drug Monitoring System will enroll and enlist every one of the 64,000 registered doctors and almost same number of registered chemists in the state.
When a patient arrives at the doctor, the diagnosis and the prescription would be digitally signed, and updated on the CDMS app.
The patient on the other hand, would be provided with a OTP, which needs to be mentioned and shown while buying the medicine, as prescribed by the doctor.
In case the patient doesn’t have a mobile phone, his or her Aadhaar card can be used for verifying the identity of the patient.
Now, the CDMS would be populated with the database of Smart Pulse Survey, which has details of all 4.8 crore people in the state.
Hence, the prescribed medicine can be only bought if the patient has the valid ID, and most probably, Aadhaar would become the defacto ID because Aadhaar is linked with all other schemes as well.
But note here, that requirement of Aadhaar is not mandatory, and any ID can be used to purchase medicines.
In tribal areas and deep rural hinterland, where Internet connectivity is low, this new rule will be exempted; but details of ID including Aadhaar would be mandatory.
There are several major advantages of this new digital push by Andhra Govt; the primary being data. Now, the State Govt. will have updated heath data of every citizen, and based on this information, the Govt. can take important steps and decisions.
Do you think this Digital push to regulate sale of medicines in Andhra Pradesh will benefit the common man? Do share your opinions by commenting right here!