Shimla, Feb. 4 -- Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while presiding over a review meeting of the Health Department, directed the officers to prepare a new 'Essential Drugs' List to ensure the availability of quality medicines to patients in government health institutions.

"He said that the new list would be reviewed by a High Power Committee," a release said.

The Chief Minister emphasised that moving toward direct procurement from manufacturers is not merely a cost-cutting measure, but a strategic move to eliminate middleman-related delays and ensure a more transparent supply chain. "By bypassing intermediaries", he said that the state aims to secure a "consistent inventory of life-saving drugs for which necessary provisio...