iGovernment
30 March 2011
By Chandrabindu
Ranchi, India

These outlets will sell all kinds of medicines at prices less than half the cost of branded ones
If the State government would have its way, ailing lots in Jharkhand would soon have access to cheaper and equally efficacious drugs.

In its bid to lessen the cost of treatment, the State government has decided to open medical stores—Jan Aushadhi Kendras—at all the sadar hospitals across Jharkhand to sell all kinds of generic medicines, which are available in market less than half the cost of branded drugs usually prescribed by doctors.

As per the Centre’s policy, the State Health and Family Welfare Department has sent a proposal seeking financial help to operationalise the project.

The Ministry of Health offers Rs 2.50 lakh as grant to the State for opening of each generic drug centre.

The move followed after the Union Health Secretary Mukul Joshi wrote a letter to Jharkhand Chief seCretary SK Chaudhary asking the later to facilitate opening of generic drug shops across the state on a priority basis.

Each centre will have the initial grant of Rs 2 lakh, while the rest Rs 50,000 will be sent in the next phase of allotment.

The states like Delhi, Rajsthan, Haryana and Punjab have already opened Jan Aushadhi Kendras being run by non-governmental organisations, which have exposure to health services.
The Central government owns the responsibility to ensure regular supply of a variety of generic medicines to these medical stores.

Jharkhand Health services Director Praveen Chandra said the state government has identified the locations to open generic medicines centres, which would become operational as soon as the Centre release the allocated amount.