Govt plans to sell cancer drugs at Jan Aushadhi stores

New Delhi, Apr 29 (PTI) The Indian government is
planning to retail cancer drugs through its nationwide
programme of 'Jan Aushadhi' stores, which offer unbranded
generic drugs at discounted rates.
"Increasing the medicine basket of Jan Aushadhi stores
is our priority and we are looking to bring cancer drugs under
this programme," India's minister of state for chemicals and
fertilisers ministry Srikant Kumar Jena told PTI on the
sidelines of a workshop organised by the department of
pharmaceuticals here Thursday, adding the department is
talking to various companies for sourcing these drugs.
Last year the government had announced that its intention
to set up generic drug stores under the brand name 'Jan
Aushadhi Generic Drug Store' (JADS) in all the districts and
the department of pharmaceuticals was entrusted with the
task of setting up them. Following this the department has
sought cooperation from NGOs, public health groups and other
bodies for opening up such stores.
Most of these stores would come up in the vicinity of
government hospitals or in the location provided by states.
Already 44 such stores have been set up in different
parts and currently 230 drugs are available in these stores,
most of which are general cough and cold medicines.
A large section of NGOs and other activist groups have
been demanding that these stores should also sell cancer
drugs at subsidised prices.
When contacted ministry officials said they are yet to
work out the modalities for selling cancer drugs through these
stores. PTI DSH
MRD