GUWAHATI: The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal announced that as manyas 800 new Jan Aushadhi Kendra under the Pradhan Mantri Aushadhi Pariyojna will be set up in the North-East, out of which 400 Jan Aushadhi Kendras will be set up in Assam.
According to a press release, the Union Minister disclosed this while attending the celebration of the Jan Aushadhi Diwas at an event in Ulubari here on Monday.
Sonowal also distributed prizes to best performing persons from all the Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the region. The Jan Aushadhi Sharvashrestha award was given to Rupa Chetri, the Jan Aushadhi Jyoti award was given to Dr Seema Bora and Archana Borthakur, the Jan Aushadhi Mitra award was given to Mukesh Singh and the Jan Aushadhi Doot award was given to Bhargav Baishya.
The Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, from the Guwahati HPC Queen Oja as well as principal of the Government Ayurvedic College, Dr Ramakanta Sharma, also attended the programme.
The Jan Aushadi Diwas is being held across the country from March 1 to March 7. In line with Jan Aushadhi Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi o Monday interacted with the beneficiaries of Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana and owners of Jan Aushadhi Kendras through video conference.
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, "The Jan Aushadi Pariyojana is providing a huge service to the common people as well as providing an opportunity to earn a dignified livelihood for many to become Atmanirbhar. I thank Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji for his noble initiative of Jan Aushadi Pariyojana that has helped immensely."
The Minister further added, "Today, apart from allopathic medicines, traditional medicines of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy are also available in Jan Aushadi Kendras. The Government of India is also aiming to set up 800 Jan Aushadi Kendras in the North-East, including 400 in Assam. I seek your support in realizing this goal."
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India. Under this scheme, dedicated outlets known as Jan Aushadhi Kendras are opened to provide generic medicines.
The target of opening 3,000 Kendras was achieved in December, 2017. Further, a revised target of total 6,000 outlets was also achieved in March, 2020. As on February 28, as many as 8,689 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are functional across the country. The product basket of PMBJP comprises 1,451 drugs and 240 surgical equipments. A medicine under PMBJP is priced on the principle of a maximum of 50% of the average price of the top three branded medicines.
Therefore, the cost of the Jan Aushadhi medicines is cheaper at least by 50% and in some cases, by 80% to 90% of the market price of branded medicines. PMBJP has drastically brought down the prices of quality medicines and making medicines available within the reach of large sections of the population.
Jan Aushadhi medicines are procured on open tender basis from WHO-GMP compliant manufacturers only. Jan Aushadhi medicines undergo a two-stage stringent quality check process at nationally accredited labs.
Senior officials from the Ministry of AYUSH, dignitaries and Jan Aushadhi beneficiaries and local residents attended the event.
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