Government of India has taken a series of steps as part of its 'Digital India' initiative. In pursuance of this, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also been making efforts to leverage Information and Communication Technology for improving efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare delivery in the country.
One of the activities initiated for the purpose is to move to a cashless economy by adopting various methods of digital payment. On the regulatory side, Health Ministry have already moved to receive payment of licensing/processing fee, etc. exclusively through non-cash means.
Dr. G. N. Singh, Drugs Controller General (India) said, "the developed economies have greatly reduced the use of cash in consumer transactions worldwide. The legal and macroeconomic benefits of a cashless society are far too large as compared with the initial hesitation in using these."
He also mentioned, "In the healthcare sector, we are currently making efforts to introduce such cashless transactions. As part of this, it has been decided that we need to move towards digital payments in case of pharmacies and as you will agree, it is immediately doable."
DCGI advised to all Pharmacy shops, Druggists, Chemists and all other players in the supply chain in Indian jurisdiction to switch over to use of digital technology in their day to day life.
