Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the poor and the middle class have benefitted from the Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs), set up to provide generic drugs at affordable prices, and they saved about Rs 13,000 crores through the stores.
He also interacted with Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana beneficiaries on the occasion of Jan Aushadhi Diwas and took feedback from them about the scheme.
The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses.
PMBJP stores have been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available at cheaper prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.
In his remarks, Modi said the JAKs have reduced the apprehension of people over the cost of medicines.
“Today, over 8,500 JAKs have opened in the country. These centres are not just government stores, but are becoming solution centres for the common man,” Modi said.
The prime minister said his government has regulated the price of more than 800 medicines required for the treatment of diseases like cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes and heart ailment.
The government has also ensured that the cost of stents and knee implants is also controlled, Modi said.
‘Jan Aushadhi Week’ is being celebrated across the country from 1st March to generate awareness about the usage of generic medicines and benefits of the Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana.
In this week, various events such as Jan Aushadhi Sankalp Yatra, Matri Shakti Samman, Jan Aushadhi Bal Mitra, Jan Aushadhi Jan Jagran Abhiyan, Aao Jan Aushadhi Mitra Baney and Jan Aushadhi Jan Arogya Mela have been organised.
In line with the prime minister’s vision to make medicines affordable and accessible to citizens, there are now more than 8,500 Jan Aushadhi stores across the country, covering almost every district, according to the PMO.
Edits by EP News Bureau