India, Oct. 8 -- In a move expected to bring major relief to thousands of patients, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cleared a proposal to set up generic drug outlets inside its hospitals, offering essential medicines at a fraction of market prices.

Under the plan, 50 such shops will come up across the city - in major, peripheral and primary healthcare hospitals run by the civic body - to ensure round-the-clock access to affordable medicines.

The proposal was originally submitted by the National Federation of Farmers' Procurement, Processing and Retailing Cooperatives of India Ltd (NACOF), which had sought permission to open 58 outlets in Mumbai's hospitals. After deliberation, the civic administration approved 50 in the...