Hans News Service Mangalagiri

Thestate government is set to introduce sweeping reforms in the medicine supply and utilisation system in government hospitals by strengthening the existing ‘e-Aushadhi’ software platform with advanced technology-driven features aimed at ensuring transparency, efficiency and public accessibility.

As part of the proposed reforms, people will soon be able to directly check the availability of medicines in government hospitals through QR code-based access. The government is also planning to introduce an automated alert system to monitor medicine utilisation, expiry timelines and supply chain management in real time.

A high-level review meeting on the proposed reforms was held on Friday at the headquarters of the Andhra Pradesh State Medical Infrastructure Development Corporation (APSMIDC) in Mangalagiri.

Senior officials from the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), who arrived from Delhi at the request of Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, participated in the discussions.

At present, medicine procurement and supply to government hospitals in Andhra Pradesh are being managed through the e-Aushadhi application. The government spends nearly Rs 800 crore annually on medicines and surgical supplies, of which around Rs.600 crore worth of medicines are supplied free of cost to poor patients through primary health centres, community health centres, district hospitals, teaching hospitals and specialty institutions.

Based on indents raised by pharmacists, medical officers and hospital superintendents, proposals are generated through the e-Aushadhi system and medicines are procured through tenders before being distributed to Central Drug Stores and subsequently to hospitals across districts.

However, officials observed several operational challenges in areas such as stock monitoring, expiry tracking and supply management.

To address these issues, the Health Department has proposed several key changes. A public-facing QR code system will allow citizens to directly verify medicine availability at hospitals. A special alert mechanism will notify officials in advance about medicines nearing expiry, especially within six months of the expiry date to minimise wastage.

The government also plans to introduce a state-wide dashboard displaying real-time medicine stock positions from Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to teaching hospitals.

Officials are considering bringing AYUSH medicine supply systems under the e-Aushadhi network as well. In addition, the “Mana Mitra” app will soon provide information on medicine stocks to the public.