Hyderabad: Private medical shops operating within govt hospital premises in Telangana are set to be removed, said health minister Damodar Rajanarasimha. However, legal challenges continue to delay action in some cases, despite the expiry of their lease period.Speaking in the legislative council, the minister revealed that of the 65 medical shops within govt hospitals, six are privately owned. Three of these are located at Gandhi Hospital, two at Osmania General Hospital and one at the govt maternity hospital in Sultan Bazar. The minister also warned that strict action would be taken if any irregularities were found in the pricing or quality of medicines sold at pharmacies operating within government hospital premises.“Since coming to power, we have not granted permission to any new private shops and are trying to remove existing ones. Some shops are still operating after obtaining stay orders from the court, but they will also be removed once permission is received,” he added.Pointing out that legal proceedings have been a key hurdle in the eviction process, the minister added that court cases relating to four of these shops have already been concluded, eviction orders have been issued and the process of vacating the premises is underway. However, two shops in Gandhi Hospital are still operating despite having obtained stay orders from the courts. He clarified that no new permissions have been granted to such shops since the current government assumed office.Furthermore, he emphasised that the state govt is actively promoting generic pharmacy stores in government hospitals to make healthcare more affordable for the public. “A new policy is being prepared, and fresh tenders will be invited once the eviction process is complete,” he added.
