3,000 Jan Aushadhi Stores to be Opened for Providing Quality Generic Medicines Across India

Under the Center's scheme to provide affordable and quality generic medicines to all, at least 3,000 Jan Aushadhi stores will be opened in two years across the country, said a top official.

CEO of the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), M D Sreekumar said that within two months, at least 425 generic medicines will be made available through around 184 Jan Aushadhi Stores which are in operation in various states and Union Territories.

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"We will achieve the target of 3,000 Jan Aushadhi outlets across the country by 2016-17. At least 300 stores will be there in the country before March 31, 2016," said Sreekumar.

He was talking to reporters after inking an MoU with CISSIL, a retail chain that will open 100 stores across Kerala by November this year. As per the MoU, CISSIL will sell the generic medicines through the Jan Aushadhi Stores to be opened in their super markets.

Sreekumar blamed many state governments including Kerala for their lack of interest in taking initiative to effectively utilize the Center's people-friendly program and make it more successful.

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He said under the Jan Aushadhi Scheme, state governments are required to provide space in government hospital premises or any other suitable locations for the running of the Jan Aushadhi Stores.

"Unfortunately, there is no encouraging response from some states like Kerala," he said.

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Sreekumar said Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India would provide one-time assistance of Rs 2.50 lakhs as furnishing and establishment costs, start up cost for setting up a Jan Aushadhi Outlet.

Any NGO/Charitable Society/Institution/Self Help Group with experience of minimum three years of successful operation in welfare activities, can also open the Jan Aushadhi store outside the hospital premises.

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Over dependence on support from state government, poor supply chain management, non-prescription of generic medicines by doctors, state governments launching free supply of drugs and lack of awareness among the public were some of the reasons why there is a delay in picking up the Jan Aushadhi Scheme, he said.

Source-PTI