Govt's antibiotic drug policy in 3 months

The government is likely to come out with a new policy governing the use of antibiotic drugs in the country within three months, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

"We have set up a committee to look into it (antibiotic drug policy) and they are likely to come up with the recommendation in another three months," Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Trivedi told reporters at the India Economic Summit here.

He said the ministry also plans to set up about 8,000 diagnostic centres at railway stations across India.

"The Railway Minister has given us permissions to set up diagnostic centres or kiosks at 8,000 railway stations in the country for diagnosing diabetes, blood pressure and other check-ups," he said.

Trivedi said the Railway Ministry has also given land to the Health and Family Welfare Ministry to set up hospitals and clinics around the country.

Asked by when the diagnostic centres would begin operations, he said: "I cannot really say as bureaucracy is a big problem in the country. Things are not moving ahead as I wanted (them) to," he said.