Current Affairs

Issue

Prime Minister Modi has inaugurated a new Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Meghalaya and emphasised its importance on lives of people.

Details

• The scheme aims to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to poor sections of the society. These medicines include generic varieties.

• It tries to bring down health care budget of every individual by providing them access to generic medicines that have same efficacy but cheaper than conventional ones.

• The scheme is implemented by Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI). BBPI comes under control of Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

• State governments, pharmacists, NGOs, charitable hospitals, state governments, private hospitals etc are eligible to apply for setting up Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

Mission

• Creating awareness regarding generic medicines

• Assuring public that quality need not be synonymous with prices.

• Creating demand for generic medicines through medicinal practitioners.

Significance

• Poor sections will not be burdened by higher cost of life saving drugs.

• Generic companies can expand their business and turn profitable.

• Families no longer will face heath related poverty as important components will be available at lower prices.