Prescribe generic medicines from Jan Aushadhi centres: Govt to dist hosps

Meerut: The Uttar Pradesh government has asked the district hospitals to prescribe generic medicines from Jan Aushadhi Kendras to patients coming to district hospitals in Uttar Pradesh in case of unavailability of medicines at pharmacies here. As many as 100 such Jan Aushadhi Kendras run under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana Kendra (PMBJPK) have come up in Uttar Pradesh, with an aim to cut the cost of medicines by at least 90%.

“I have been directed to inform you that such medicines which aren’t available at the pharmacy stores should be replaced with generic medicines by the doctors, such that the patients are able to purchase medicines from the Jan Aushadhi Centres at an affordable price,” read the order issued by Prashant Trivedi, UP principal secretary.

“The cost of generic medicines is far lower than branded medicines even as they continue to maintain their quality. So, it is necessary to ensure that when branded medicines are not available at the pharmacy stores, generic medicines are prescribed – which would be of great help to the poor patients who cannot afford branded medicines easily,” read Trivedi’s order.