Kudumbasree will open Jan Aushadhi medical stores across the State to make available generic medicines to the common man at low prices.
The project will be implemented in association with the Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India under the Union Ministry of Fertilisers and Chemicals
Memorandum signed
A memorandum of understanding in this regard was signed by Local Self-Government Principal Secretary T.K. Jose and Kudumbasree executive director S. Harikishore and Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India State nodal officer Chandrasekharan Pillai in the presence of Minister for Local Self-Government K.T. Jaleel. The Jan Aushadhi stores will help provide a new source of income to educated women in the Kudumbasree ranks, besides making available 442 types of generic medicines at low prices.
First phase
In the first phase, Jan Aushadhi stores will be opened in Kottakkal municipality in Malappuram and Mattannur municipality in Kannur, and Theekoyi, Paravoor, Edavoor, Kathiroor, Kunnukara, Thrikodithanam, Shoranur, Uzhamalakkal, Eloor, Ottapalam, Thalikulam, Payamangalam, and Edavaka.
Onus on local bodies
Stores will also be started in panchayats where 120 sq ft of space in government hospitals or any other building is provided. The responsibility of finding space near hospitals for starting the stores is that of the local self-government institution concerned.
Directives will be issued to doctors in government hospitals to make it possible for patients to buy medicines from such stores. The stores will sport the Jan Aushadhi logo. Each of them will have a pharmacist and a computer operator.
Financial assistance
The Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India will provide each store with ₹1.5 lakh to arrange for computer, Intenet, and furniture, and generic medicines for ₹1 lakh.
Local Self-government Secretary A. Shajahan was among those present on the occasion.
