Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Apr 22: Union minister of chemicals and fertilizer Ananth Kumar, minister of state for drinking water and sanitation Ramesh Jigajinagi and other dignitaries on Saturday April 22 inaugurated Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadi Kendra, a central government initiative to provide generic drugs at affordable costs to all, in a ceremony held at TV Raman Pai hall here.
The programme was joinly organised by Mathr Bhoomi Sauhardha Sahakaari Niyamitha, Gurupur Kaikamba and Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), New Delhi.
Addressing the gathering, Ananth Kumar said, "It is a privilege to inaugurate Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadi Kendra which is introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in order to provide quality medicines at an affordable price. We produce up to Rs 2 lac crore worth of medicines, that is why India is called the pharmacy of the world. Our country is not only a global leader in information technology, aerospace, biotechnology, we are also globally powerful in pharmaceuticals.
"It is important to know whether quality medicines reach the poor, but a recent survey says only 50% of the poor have access to quality medicines. Taking note of this, Prime Minister has taken up the initiative by dedicating the Jan Aushadi Kendra to provide medicines at affordable rates. As many as 1,100 such centres have been launched successfully in the country, and MP Nalin Kumar has taken the initiative to set up 100 such centres in Dakshina Kannada district.
"This centre will provide all types of medicines including medicines for blood pressure, diabities, HIV AIDS, antibiotics and many more at affordable rates. This will definitely help the poor. Usually people have a healthcare budget of Rs 5,000, but this Kendra will help them cut down their healthcare budget by up to Rs 1,000," Ananth Kumar said.
"Health security is an important element in everybody's life but there can be no health security without medicine, and unfortunately, prices of medicines have skyrocketed. We are also planning to provide stents, which usually cost between Rs 1 lac to Rs 2 lac, at Rs 30,000 to those who need it. Doctors should prescribe generic medicine and not branded medicine for the people. We have discussed with the Medical Council of India about making it compulsory for doctors to prescribe generic medicines.
"So far, many schemes have been introduced by the centre, and one among them is Ujjwal Yojana where people have provision of gas. We have provided gas facility to 2 crore people and in the next two years, the figure will reach up to 3 crore," he added.
He also said that a 'Plastic Park' worth Rs 1,000 crore would be set up in Mangaluru to boost plastic production, adding that the city was most suitable for the construction of such a park.
Minister of state for drinking water and sanitation Ramesh Jigajinagi said, "This is one of the best initiatives undertaken by the government of India to ensure quality generic medicine at affordable price for all. This kind of initiative is required for the people to buy medicines at cheap prices and it is better that doctors prescribe these medicines rather than the branded ones.
"I also congratulate MP Nalin Kumar Kateel on working for the development of Dakshina Kannada district. So far he has been able to spend nearly Rs 30 crore for the purpose of development in the district," he added.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, zilla panchayath vice-president Kasturi Panja and others were present.