Anti-TB drugs have been stocked at public sector health facilities and drug stores. For the purpose of provision of free anti-TB drugs to TB patients, drugs are also supplied to private clinics and pharmacies to dispense. 

Number of districts where Government provided anti TB drugs have been given to TB patients who seek care at private clinics and pharmacies 

 RNTCP has policy of provision of free drugs to all TB patients. All TB patients in public sector avail free anti-TB drug. However, 8% of TB patients notified from private sector availed free anti-TB drugs from the Government. 

Mechanism to provide free anti-TB drugs for TB patients include – referral of TB patients to public sector health facility or by dispensing anti-TB drugs at private clinics and pharmacies. Decision on either option of provision of drugs depends on the patients and providers’ interaction and convenience

For achieving the target, the programme has actively pursued to advocate with private clinics to prescribe free drugs, the supply chain system is strengthened with the support of the field level staff in the States/ UTs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) at many places and inventory management system - NIKSHAY Aushadhi is deployed.

State-wise number of patients in the private sector who are currently being provided free anti-TB drugs under TB programme is placed at Annexure 2.

State / UT wise No. of patients from the private sector who are provided anti-TB drugs by the TB program in 2019

The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha 13/12/2019.