CHITWAN: Bharatpur Hospital's decision to bring its own pharmacy into operation for the convenience of patients has become effective, thus prompting the hospital to expand its services.

Until October 23, 2016, patients had to stay in a queue for hours to buy prescribed medicines from private sector run pharmacies outside the hospital. Bearing this in mind, the hospital launched a new pharmacy at its Out Patient department (OPD).

According to Hospital Development Committee Chair Raj Kumar Rajbhandari, there are different sections within the pharmacy to cater to the requirements of ICU and surgery ward in-patients.

As hospital medical superintendent Dr Rudra Marasini stated, medicines are available for patients at lower prices in comparison to the private pharmacies.

Since the establishment of the pharmacy by the hospital, it has made a profit of Rs 22 million in the sale of medicines worth over Rs 93 million at a subsidised rate.

Over 1,000 patients visit the 600-bed hospital's OPD daily. Likewise, it records around 9,000 surgery cases every year.