Geneva (Switzerland), May 23: Health Minister Gagan Kumar Thapa, who is on a visit to Switzerland to participate in the 70th World Health Organisation (WHO) Assembly held a separate meeting with his counterparts from India and Bangladesh on various issues including the purchase of medicines.
The meeting focused on the matter for Nepal to purchase medicines from both the countries at reasonable price, said Minister Thapa after the meeting.
It has been agreed in the meeting with Indian Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda to increase India’s assistance in this regard, said Thapa. “For the matter, a high level committee formed will make estimates of medicines requirements for Nepal for a whole year within a week. Following the purchase of medicines at minimum low rates, the cost of the medicines to be sold from government pharmacies will go down to more than half,” said Minister Thapa.
He also informed that Bangladesh was also positive to supply medicines prescribed to cure severe diseases to Nepal at a reasonable rate.
India was also positive to implement the proposal put forth by Minister Thapa to send assistance India has been providing through Indian Embassy in Nepal, directly through the Health Ministry of Nepal.
The Government of Bangladesh was ready to supply necessary medicines needed for Nepal for five years at a reasonable rate, Minister Thapa said.
It may be noted that people are forced to purchase medicines at relatively higher price with the private companies importing medicines from foreign countries haphazardly.
According to a report submitted to Health Ministry by the recommendation committee formed to monitor price of medicines being sold, foreign importers would charge up to 2,200 per cent in the price on the sale and supply of medicines to Nepal.
In this setback, the government has recently formed a committee following a Cabinet decision in this regard to purchase medicines itself from foreign drug companies directly.
Meanwhile, the Assembly will select its new Director General of WHO for the next five years. The health ministers and head of delegation of participating total 194 member countries will cast their votes. (Kalpana Poudel) RSS
वि.सं.२०७४ जेठ १० बुधवार ०९:२६ मा प्रकाशित
