Kathmandu, May 13 -- Suryaman Tamang, a resident of Barhabise Municipality in Sindhupalchok district, is in a fix.

He has chronic hypertension. He has also been diagnosed with hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol levels) and been advised immediate medication for both ailments. Tamang, however, hasn't started medication: he doesn't trust in the free medicines the government distributes and cannot afford to buy the "branded" ones.

"I don't think that medicines provided free of cost at health facilities really work," Tamang said. "When I inquire about free medicines, doctors ask me to buy them from pharmacies rather than ask questions. This makes me feel that they themselves do not trust the quality of the free drugs."

The government distribu...