The price of 1032 essential medicines have been capped by the government to help provide poor medicines at cheaper rates. government is attempting to provide 700 medicines in Jan Aushadi Stores and a total of 20 truck loads of medicines are being supplied to such stores per day for providing medicines at cheaper rates to the poor.
The government has fixed trade margins of 42 medicines relating to cancer and other diseases, which has helped bring down their price by 90 per cent. A total of 526 formulations are now available at 90 per cent less rates than the market, after the government has taken this initiative of fixing trade margins. National Pharma Pricing Authority has been set up by the government and is looking into whether anyone is selling medicines at higher prices.
Jan Aushadhi stores are opened with an aim of providing quality and affordable medicines to the poor. As on 10.06.2019, 5322 Kendras are functional under ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana’ (PMBJP). Out of these, 144 PMBJP kendras are run by persons belonging to SC/ST community. 39 PMBJP kendras have been opened in North-East and Naxal-affected areas in financial year 2018-19. Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) has entered into contract with154 WHO-GMP certified pharmaceutical manufacturing companies for procuring quality generic medicines and other surgical & consumables to be sold under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
Union Minister of State for Shipping (IC) and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya said in Rajyasabha in a written reply to a question.