Collector Mr.M.Ravi Chandra on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Central Drug Stores (CDS) warehouse to be constructed adjacent to the TB hospital here by the Andhra Pradesh Health, Medical Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation (APHMHIDC) at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.83 Cr. On the occasion, Mr.Ravi Chandra said the corporation had been supplying drugs to all government medical and health institutions in the State since 1998 and there were instances when the drugs were getting spoiled by the time they reached the level of primary health centers (PHCs) due to poor infrastructure related to storing and delivery. The corporation had got permission for construction of warehouses on its own to ensure that drugs were delivered in time and in good condition. With a funding of Rs.38 Cr by the UK–based Department for International Development (DFID) and Rs. 14 Cr own resources, the corporation was getting 23 CDS warehouses constructed throughout the State. The CDS warehouse would have the facility to store drugs at sub–zero temperatures and up to 45 degree Celsius. It facilitates delivery of drugs on time to government hospitals and PHCs. The CDS warehouses would be under the charge of executive engineers. APHMHIDC executive engineer G. Praveen Raju said the CDS warehouse being built in Kakinada would cater to the requirements of Andhra Pradesh Vaidya Vidhana Parishad hospitals, PHCs, health sub–centers and dispensaries. Drugs costing Rs. 8 Cr would be supplied to the CDS warehouse every year.