The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an office memo extending the deadline for CS (MA) [Central Services (Medical Attendance)] beneficiaries to procure medicines. This memo was issued in continuation to a Memo dated 1st April 2020 (original memo). Subsequent revisions were made on 5th May 2020 and 3rd June 2020.
The Original Memo dated 1st April 2020 stated that the Government had instituted measures, both at individual and community levels to contain the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this regard, the Government had first instituted guidelines for maintaining social distancing between individuals. To reinforce these guidelines, it was elucidated that CS (MA) beneficiaries who required medicines for chronic diseases could purchase them from their local pharmacies. Such purchases should be based on prescriptions already held by the beneficiaries and issued by Authorised Medical Attendants.
Originally, the time fixed for enabling such purchases was 30th April 2020. Subsequently, this deadline came to be extended to 31st May 2020 and then again to 31st July 2020. The Government has now, once again, extended the deadline for making such purchases to 30th September 2020.
Moreover, the concerned Ministry/ Department/ Organisation will continue processing medical claims for reimbursement, submitted by the beneficiaries.
