New Delhi: The Drugs and Medical Devices Controller General of India (PMBI) has signed an agreement with Coal India Limited to open a Jan Aushadhi Kendra in every coalfield, at a selected hospital or at any suitable location specified by the state-run mining company.
Jan Aushadhi Kendra is a store that specializes in selling affordable generic drugs. PMBI comes under the Pharmaceuticals Department of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and its responsibility is to ensure that Jan Aushadhi Kendra stores provide quality drugs at affordable prices. Generic drugs are 50-90% cheaper than branded drugs.
“The objective of this MoU is to provide high-quality generic medicines to Coal India employees and the community through the establishment of Jan Aushadhi centres across Coal India locations,” India’s Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said in a statement on Tuesday. “These medicines will help save out-of-pocket expenses for workers, residents and families and provide employment opportunities to entrepreneurs in the project areas.”
The centres will be set up at 12 locations of Coal India’s operations in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Assam.
Jan Aushadhi is located in the heart of MP
Separately, the Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday set up 50 Jan Aushadhi Kendras in various district hospitals in the state.
“These Jan Aushadhi Kendras will benefit the people of Madhya Pradesh. Over 2,000 quality generic drugs and 300 surgical, nutraceutical products and devices will be available at 50 to 90 per cent cheaper than branded drugs. This will help them save on out-of-pocket expenses for medicines,” the government said.
The initiatives are aimed at increasing the number of drug sales points across India to 25,000 by 2026 from the current 12,000-plus.
Earlier in June, Mint reported that PMBI aims to keep a minimum stock of at least 200 commonly used medicines in Jan Aushadhi stores around the clock.
According to government statistics, the average number of sales outlets per month has increased to ₹150,000.
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