Union Minister for state for social justice and empowerment, Ramdas Athawale on 30 October 2017 launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana during the fourth workshop of ''Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana'' in Mumbai.

The workshop was organised by Pratishtha and Sanjivani trust. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister stated that generic drugs for one and all are the need of the hour and we are glad to launch the same in our state. “This will be a revolutionary step in healthcare and we will also urge doctors to prescribe for generic drugs. This will help people save money and bring relief to the public,” he added.

About Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an objective of making high-quality medicines available to all at affordable prices, especially to the poor and underprivileged, through exclusive outlets such as Jan Aushadhi Medical store.

The scheme would make quality drugs available at affordable prices through dedicated stores selling generic medicines.

The medicines, though lesser in price, are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.

Key objectives of the scheme

• To promote greater awareness about cost effective drugs and their prescription.

• To make available unbranded quality generic medicines at affordable prices through public-private partnership.

• To encourage doctors, more specifically in government hospital to prescribe generic medicines.

• To enable substantial savings in health care, especially in the case of poor patients and those suffering from chronic ailments requiring long periods of drug use.