The Government of Rajasthan on September 5th 2024, revised its guidelines for the supply and delivery of drugs and medicines under the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS). These updates aim to refine the processes for both traditional pharma stores and e-pharma stores.
Empanelment Procedures for Pharma Stores
Application and Financial Requirements
The updated guidelines stipulate that pharma stores wishing to be empanelled must now pay an Expression of Interest (EOI) fee of ₹1,000. Additionally, the Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) requirements have been revised. For different areas, the PBG amounts are as follows:
- Nagar Nigam Area: ₹1,00,000
- Nagar Parishad Area: ₹75,000
- Nagar Palika Area: ₹50,000
- Rural Areas: ₹10,000
If a pharma store applies for both counter sales and Door Step Delivery (DSD), only one PBG is required. Chains of pharma stores have the option to submit a single PBG for each store or one for all the stores within a district. If opting for a district-wide PBG, it must be ten times the individual store PBG amount, with a minimum of ₹10 lakhs.
Pharma stores that are already empanelled must comply with the new guidelines by executing an agreement and submitting the updated PBG within one month of the order’s issue.
Eligibility Criteria
Pharma stores need to be registered under the Shops and Establishment Act, Rajasthan Dukan Evam Vanijyik Sansthan Adhiniyam, 1958, the Indian Partnership Act 1932, the Companies Act 1956, or the Limited Liability Act 2008. Additionally, they must have been operational for at least one financial year to qualify for empanelment.
Documentation and Billing
The requirement to submit certain registration documents has been removed. Instead, the revised guidelines now allow service providers to use their own system for delivery acknowledgements, incorporating an authentication code provided by the beneficiary to confirm Door Step Delivery. Some previously required documentation has been eliminated, simplifying the billing process for pharma stores.
Empanelment Procedures for E-Pharma Stores
Application and Financial Requirements
For e-pharma stores, the EOI fee is also ₹1,000. The PBG requirements are aligned with those for pharma stores, with amounts varying based on the area:
- Nagar Nigam Area: ₹1,00,000
- Nagar Parishad Area: ₹75,000
- Nagar Palika Area: ₹50,000
- Rural Areas: ₹10,000
Similar to pharma stores, e-pharma stores applying for both counter sales and Door Step Delivery (DSD) need to submit only one PBG. Chains of e-pharma stores can choose to submit a single PBG per store or one for all stores in a district. The district-wide PBG must be ten times the individual PBG amount, with a minimum of ₹10 lakhs.
Eligibility Criteria
E-pharma stores must be registered under the same acts as pharma stores and must have been operational for at least one financial year to be eligible for empanelment.
Documentation and Billing
Like with pharma stores, the requirement for submitting certain documents has been removed. E-pharma stores can use their own system for delivery acknowledgements, with the mandatory inclusion of an authentication code provided by the beneficiary. Additional documentation requirements have also been removed to streamline the billing process.
Service Level Agreement (SLA) for E-Pharma Stores
A significant update in the SLA for e-pharma stores is the inclusion of a system that allows RGHS beneficiaries to return medicines. The e-pharma store must handle returns and replacements through a designated portal, with the system to be developed by the RGHS.
For chains of e-pharma stores, a single SLA must be executed with the competent authority of the chain. This SLA will bind the chain to follow all rules and legal requirements for drug supply and delivery. The PBG for the chain of e-pharma stores will have a minimum floor ceiling of ₹10 lakhs.
Conclusion
The revised guidelines are designed to simplify and standardize the process for both pharma and e-pharma stores. They introduce changes in financial requirements, eligibility criteria, and documentation procedures, aiming to make the supply and delivery of medicines under RGHS more efficient and accountable.
