The Delhi government has taken a big and commendable step towards providing affordable medicines to patients. The government has strictly instructed all government hospitals to set up at least one Jan Aushadhi Center on their premises. Its main objective is to provide affordable generic medicines to patients instead of expensive branded medicines.
Medicines and medical equipment certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) will be available at these centres at a reduced price of 50 to 70%. However, this facility will not be available in Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathic hospitals. This step will prove to be a boon for patients from the economically weaker sections.
Resolve to deliver affordable medicines to every needy
The central government is running the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra Yojana, which aims to provide affordable medicines to the people. Under this scheme, 13,200 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened across the country so far. The government aims to increase their number to 25,000 by March 2027. Any person, hospital, non-governmental organization (NGO), or pharmacist can open a Jan Aushadhi Center. This scheme not only provides affordable medicines but also creates self-employment opportunities.
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Centres will open soon in these big hospitals
The process of setting up Jan Aushadhi Centres has already started in many government hospitals in Delhi. These include major hospitals like GB Pant Hospital, Lok Nayak Hospital, Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital, Guru Nanak Eye Center, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital and Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya. By opening centres in these hospitals, patients will be able to get affordable medicines on the hospital premises itself, so that they will not need to wander outside.
Hospitals will also buy medicines from the Jan Aushadhi Center
According to a Times of India report, the government has also decided that if any essential medicine is not available in the hospital, it will be allowed to be ordered from Jan Aushadhi Center instead of buying it from the local market. Senior officials of the Health Department said that the decision to open Jan Aushadhi Center has been taken this month.
Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh has directed all medical superintendents and health officials to expedite the process of drug supply under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has also been signed with the central government in this regard. This will also reduce the drug procurement cost of hospitals.
Recommendation of High Court Committee
A six-member committee headed by Dr SK Sarin constituted by the Delhi High Court had made several recommendations to overcome the drug crisis in government hospitals. This also included the suggestion to set up Jan Aushadhi Kendras. According to government officials, medicines and medical equipment certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) will be available at Jan Aushadhi Kendras at prices as low as 50-70%.
Medicines will be stocked at these centres as per local demand, but more than 2,000 high-quality generic medicines and 300 surgical equipment will be available at much cheaper rates than expensive branded products.
Treatment of serious diseases will be cheaper
Officials said that medicines required for the treatment of serious diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes will also be made available at these centres. The government believes that this scheme will benefit the economically weaker sections the most. Now even the poor and needy people will be able to get their treatment without worrying about expensive medicines. This step is an important effort towards making healthcare accessible to all.
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