Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Oct 24: After the lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic most numbers of Jan Aushadhi centers have opened in the district of Dakshina Kannada (DK). Those who have returned from gulf nations and intend to start business and those who have come back to their native place in the wake of lockdown are applying for permits to start new Jan Aushadhi centers.

Bureau of Pharma PSUS of India (BPPI) is taking the responsibility of implementing the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi scheme throughout the country. BPPI has already given approval for 54 centres in the district of Dakshina Kannada and 36 centers in Udupi district. Both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are at the forefront of successfully implementing the Jan Aushadhi scheme introduced by PM Modi with the intention of providing good quality medicines at affordable rates.

In the sales of medicines, other than Bengaluru, medical shops of Udupi are leading in the state. Shivamogga, Mysuru and Dakshina Kannada are in second, third and fourth spots. In the present financial year, a target of 125 crore turnover is set for Karnataka. Already 73% of this target is reached as Rs 91.2 crore turnover is already done. During Covid-19 pandemic it is estimated that more than 100 crore turnover has taken place all over the country during Covid-19 pandemic.

In some Jan Aushadhi shops in Dakshina Kannada Rs 50 lac turnover is registered per month, while in Udupi the turnover registered is Rs five lac. At the same time, there are centers which do not even cross Rs 10,000 turnover per month. Some shops are selling medicines of other companies in Jan Aushadhi centers. Dr Anila Deepak Shetty, assistant manager, sales and marketing of BPPI has informed that strict action will be taken against such Jan Aushadhi shops.

The owners of Jan Aushadhi centers in Dakshina Kannada are prompt in doing payment on time to the distributors as well as the union government. So the shortage of medicines is not there. All distributors supply medicines as per demand. Some people complain that certain medicines are not available in Jan Aushadhi centers though they stock more than 1,200 types of medicines. The main reason is the delay in payment by the owner of such Jan Aushadhi centers.

Dr Anila Deepak Sheety, assistant manager, sales and marketing of BPPI says, "In the total turnover of Jan Aushadhi centers, Karnataka is in the top spot in the whole country. Other than Bengaluru, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are doing most of the business. The number of people interested in opening Jan Aushadhi centers after the coronavirus pandemic has doubled."