MYSURU
It is targeted to set up Jan Aushadi centres in every primary health center and sub-centers along with District and Taluk Hospitals in the state, to make medicines available at lower rates. The aim is to build 500 new drug centers in six months, Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said.
The Minister said while addressing the beneficiaries and owners of the centres before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech, in a function held at a private hotel.
It is surprising that in the last 68 years no one has come up with the idea that the price of drugs should be reduced. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pondered on micro-issues and strengthened the Jan Aushadi concept. There are currently over 8,000 centres in the country and 952 in the state. With this, Karnataka ranks 3rd among the states with the highest number of centers. It is targetted to build about 500 new centers over the next six months in the state. It aims to build not only in a district hospital, a taluk hospital but also in all primary health center and sub-centers. With this, the state would achieve the first place in having maximum Jan Aushadi centres, he said.
This kind of centres must be set up in private sector also which will enable to reach more people.
Drugs that cure many illnesses, including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, kidney problems are available in the market. But their rates are higher. Common man is spending about 30-40 per cent of their salaries for purchasing medicines. By observing this, the medicines are being given at 70-80 percent lower rates. Branded as well as quality medicines are available here. They are manufactured and after thorough inspection supplied to market for sale. Hence, people must not have any suspicion about the medicines available in Jan Aushadi centres, he confirmed.
Request to doctors
People must develop confidence about Jan Aushadi Centres. Medicines valued at one rupee are available for 20 paise in these centres. Doctors in the private healthcare sector should not mention branded medicines when writing prescriptions for poor people. Considering the economic conditions of the people, chemical medicines must be recommended. The minister appealed to doctors to prescribe medicine to people’s pharmacies in view of humanity.
Central Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Bhagavanta Khooba, was present.
