Vijayawada: To make quality medicine available for all at affordable prices, state govt decided to set up Jan Aushadi stores at all govt general hospitals (GGHs). Satya Kumar Yadav, minister for health and family welfare, on Saturday approved a proposal to operate Jan Aushadi stores at all 17 GGHs initially and to explore the possibilities of opening similar stores at district and area hospitals as well.The decision was taken after numerous complaints were received about private generic medical shops pocketing 50% to 600% profit margins depending on the demand and availability of medicine. Generic medicine retailerscurrently operate at 16 GGHs. They are taking advantage of the loopholes in manufacturing, pricing, and inadequate controls.Manufacturers of generic drugs set very high MRP, and the retailers are taking advantage of the situation. Based on availability and demand, the retailers offer different discounts and make huge profits. Though the generic drug stores were allocated to SHGs, private individuals have been running the stores using loopholes in the system.To address the deficiencies in the present system, state govt decided to go with Jan Aushadi stores, which sell medicine with only a 15% profit margin.
