ECHS amendment in SOP to issue medicine for longer duration

The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme(ECHS) has amended the norms for extending the duration of medicines issued. In case the ECHS beneficiary is planning to stay in a foreign country for more than three months, he can receive the medicines for the duration of his stay in a foreign country up to 6 months. Bedridden and chronic patients can receive medicines for up to 90 days without the need for review. This also applies to the patients from the Hilly terrains or difficult areas where commuting is difficult. 

As per the current standard operating procedures (SOP) of the ECHS, the medicines for one month is being issued. Maximum three months medicines may be issued in certain cases.

Central Organisations ECHS
Integrated HQ of MoD (Army)
Adjutant General’s Branch
Thimayya Marg,
Near Gopinath Circle
Delhi Cantt-110010

B/49761/AG/ECHS/2021

23 Dec 2021

_______________
(All Regional Centres)

AMENDMENT: ISSUE OF MEDICINES FOR LONGER DURATION (90 DAYS) PARA 18 (q) OF SOP ON MEDICINE MANAGEMENT DT 05 SEP 2017

1. Pl ref to the Para 18 (q) of SOP on Medicine Management dt 05 Sep 2017.

2. The existing Para 18 (q) of the SOP on Medicine Management is reconstituted and amended to read as under:-

READ

Para 18 (q) : Issue of Medicines for Longer Duration.

(i) ECHS beneficiary proceeding to a foreign country for three months or more from the date of leaving India will be entitled to receive medicines for the duration of his stay in a foreign country or six months whichever is less. Visa/air tickets will be checked and OIC Polyclinic will satisfy himself. NDD (Next Due Date) will be correctly recorded.

(ii) In the case of Bedridden patients as well as chronic cases as given above subject to the endorsement of medical officer/specialist of Polyclinic that “No review required for 90 days”, the beneficiaries will be entitled for receiving medicines for a maximum duration of three months (90 days).

(iii) Patients from Hilly region/difficult areas where commuting is difficult viz Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, North East regions and other difficult areas will be entitled to receive medicines for a maximum duration of three months (90 days).

(iv) While issuing the medicines for a longer duration as mentioned above, the following will be ensured:-

(aa) Medicines will only be given if the issue does not affect other patients. adversely which will be at the discretion of OIC Polyclinic keeping stock position of medical stores in mind.

(ab) Medicines procured out of local purchase powers of OIC Polyclinic or from Authorised Local Chemist will not be issued for three months.

(ac) It will be mandatory for the patient to be reviewed by the doctor for regulation of doses of medicines after three months or on return from a foreign country.

(v) Doctors of Polyclinic will be accountable for the prescriptions being written.

3. The above-reconstituted para be replaced in the said SOP.

4. This has the approval of MD ECHS.

5. You are requested to disseminate the contents of this letter to all PCs under your AOR.

(SK Gupta)
Col
Jt Dir (Med)
for Dir (Med)