Govt plans to open public medical stores at railway stations

New Delhi: Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Ananthkumar held a detailed discussion with the Minister of Railways, Mr Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu for opening of Janaushadhi Kendras (public medical stores) at Railway Stations and other Railway establishments on 13th June.

The Minister informed the media persons that an in-principle decision to open Janaushadhi Kendras at Railway Stations and other Railway establishments has been taken during today’s discussions. Railways being the largest employer in India, the amalgamation of efforts between the two Ministries for the percolation of generic drugs would increase their accessibility to the common man manifold, Mr Prabhu added.

Briefing the media on the outcome of the meeting, Mr Ananthkumar informed that the meeting was very fruitful and Mr Prabhu has extended full support from Railways to take ahead the vision of the Prime Minister. “We will utilize the vast Railway Infrastructure to increase Accessibility of Affordable, Quality Generic Drugs for the common man”, said Mr Ananthkumar.

Further, Mr Ananthkumar said that the Government is pursuing in full force the vision of Prime Minister to make affordable and quality medicines accessible to all citizens of the country. The Minister added that currently over 1600 Janaushadhi Kendras have been opened in over 450 districts across India under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) and all the drugs available at these stores meet the WHO GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) benchmarks.

The Ministers have directed senior officers of the two Ministries to work out the modalities and the strategy for roll out of the plan in detail. Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Mr Jai Priye Prakash, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Mr Mohd. Jamshed, Member Traffic, Railway Board, Mr Biplab Chatterjee, CEO Bureau of Pharma PSUs in India (BPPI) – the implementing agency for PMBJP, along with other senior officers of the two Ministries.