Andhra Pradesh health experts study Odisha’s medicine supply system

A special committee of health experts visited Bhubaneswar on Monday to study the drug procurement and distribution system for government hospitals in Odisha.

The committee, led by Additional Director of Medical Education Radhika Reddy, held discussions with Odisha Medical Services Corporation Managing Director Poma Tudu and other officials.

During the meeting, the officials said medicines worth about ₹750 crore are procured annually through the corporation. They said 30% of the medicines required by teaching hospitals and 10% of those required by other government hospitals are procured through local purchases. Dr. Poma Tudu said payments to medicine suppliers are usually cleared within one to two months.

The committee also visited the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and a government drug warehouse to study their storage and distribution systems.

The visit follows a similar study tour to Chennai undertaken by the committee as part of efforts to strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s drug procurement and supply system for government healthcare institutions.