Gujarat govt rejects Centre’s ‘Jan Aushadhi’ project

Gujarat has rejected central govt’s ‘Jan Aushadhi’ model saying it has better self developed model of providing free treatments for segments of population.

Gujarat government currently runs a scheme to provide free medicines, and bears the entire cost of treatment for children below the age of 18 years at public hospitals.

The scheme is also extended for all below-poverty-line (BPL) families and also offers treatment at private institutions for BPL families up to a maximum limit of Rs 30,000. The state has been practicing the open tender procedure to procure drugs since a long time.

In Gujarat, Central Medical Stores Organization (CMSO) procures drugs through open tender, which are then analyzed by the state Food and Drugs Control Authority (FDCA) officials. Over 100 drugs are included in the list of essential medicines which include life saving drugs.

What is centre’s plan?

• The Centre is considering reviving its Jan Aushadhi scheme, and now plans to extend open tenders for the procurement of drugs for the Jan Aushadhi stores with the aim to boost the supply chain for these stores across the country. Presently, there are 117 Jan Aushadhi stores across India, and the department of pharmaceuticals plans to increase the number to 600 over the next two years, and further up to 3,000 by 2016. The Centre has plans to commercialize its Jan Aushadhi scheme by incorporating private sector pharma players to supply essential drugs.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2012

Category: Government Schemes Current Affairs