Delhi government to increase number of drugs in Jan Aushadhi Stores to 577

New Delhi: Government will widen the basket of affordable generic medicines sold at Jan Aushadhi Stores by 36 per cent, taking the total to 577 as part of its initiative to provide relief to patients, Parliament was informed.

Besides, affordable surgical and consumables items on offer at these stores will be increased to 165 from 100 at present.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said: "To augment the basket of medicines in Jan Aushadhi Stores, total 577 medicine and total 165 surgicals and consumables have been finalised."

At present, 425 medicines covering almost all therapeutic categories and 100 surgicals are available in these stores.

As on date, 253 Jan Aushadhi Stores in 21 states are operational, he added.

Yesterday in the Budget speech, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said that the government will open 3,000 Jan Aushadhi stores in 2016-17 across the country.

Jan Aushadhi scheme started in 2008 with an aim to make quality medicines available at affordable prices for all, particularly the poor and disadvantaged through specialised outlets.

The scheme seeks to popularise the use of unbranded generic medicines to bring down actual expenses on medicines for the common man and make health care affordable and safe.