Major overhaul of drug supply system

The Andhra Pradesh government is set to introduce sweeping reforms in the medicine supply and monitoring system across government hospitals, with a strong focus on transparency, real-time tracking, and public access to information. The proposed reforms include introducing QR code-based medicine tracking for the public, expiry alerts for officials, and a complete revamp of the state’s e-Aushadhi software platform.

Currently, the state government supplies medicines worth nearly Rs 600 crore annually free of cost to patients in government hospitals through the e-Aushadhi software system. The platform manages medicine procurement and distribution based on indents received from pharmacists, medical officers, and hospital superintendents across primary health centres, community hospitals, district hospitals, teaching hospitals, and speciality institutions.

However, officials noted that issues related to medicine availability, stock monitoring, utilisation, and expiry tracking continue to arise under the present system. In response, the Health Minister directed officials to modernise the software using the latest technology and strengthen monitoring mechanisms.

Under the proposed reforms, patients and the general public will be able to directly check the availability of medicines in hospitals through QR codes. A digital dashboard is also being planned to display medicine stock positions from Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to teaching hospitals. Authorities are additionally working on a Global Dashboard to provide comprehensive information to officials at various levels.

One of the key features proposed is an automated alert mechanism to warn officials about medicines nearing expiry, especially those with less than six months of shelf life remaining. The upgraded system will also monitor whether pharmaceutical companies and distributors are supplying medicines on time as per tender agreements through a real-time tracking mechanism.

Officials are also considering integrating AYUSH medicines into the e-Aushadhi network and enabling medicine stock visibility through the Mana Mitra app. Senior C-DAC officials from New Delhi interacted with pharmacists and district drug store supervisors to gather feedback and suggestions on the proposed reforms.