Government revisiting 'Jan Aushadhi' scheme to expand reach

NEW DELHI: The ' Jan Aushadhi' scheme which seeks to provide quality medicine at affordable price, is being revisited to expand its reach across the country, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Under the scheme, medicine stores were opened across the country but only 96 are functioning as on date, Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda informed the House.

"The scheme is, therefore, being revisited to expand its reach across the country," he said in a written reply.

The details are being worked out by the Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India ( BPPI) in consultation with Department of Pharmaceuticals, he said.

The minister said BPPI has prescribed certain norms for bidders and suppliers to ensure quality in medicine procurement.

The aim of 'Jan Aushadhi' scheme is to make available quality medicines at affordable prices for all, especially the poor and the disadvantaged.

Under this campaign, less priced quality unbranded generic medicines will be made available through Jan Aushadhi stores which inherently are priced low but of equivalent quality, efficacy and safety as compared to branded generic medicines.