MP: ATMs-like machines to dispense free medicines

BHOPAL: Taking free medicine distribution to the next level, state health department will soon introduce automated medicine dispensing machines. Similar to ATMs, the new and unique machines will be able to recognize prescriptions and dispense medicines.

According to director health in charge hospital maintenance, Dr KK Thassu, a trial run of the project will take place at five rural health centres in Betul district, some 180 km from the state capital. Project is likely to begin in July.

Automated medicine dispenser will be guided by a local health worker. Once a patient comes to the healthcare centre, his/her blood pressure and pulse will be checked by a machine installed along with the dispenser. Healthcare worker will then link the patient with a telemedicine doctor, who after registering the case will automatically alert the machine to dispense medicines. The scheme has been introduced at the behest of Central Medical Services Society (CMSS), a Central procurement agency under Union ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW).

Remote dispensing in rural healthcare environments will overcome the need for on-site pharmacist and doctor.

Initially, only the basic generic drugs will be available in the machines.

Officials said that patient data captured and registered electronically will also generate valuable epidemiological data.

Madhya Pradesh health department has 8,764 sub-centres, 1,157 primary health centre (PHC) and 334 community health centres (CHC). It is estimated that 600 odd PHCs are functioning without a doctor and about two dozen CHCs do not have a single doctor.