The Union government’s ‘Jan Aushadhi’ scheme, which was set up with the intention of providing access to affordable medicines for all, is set to receive an impetus with a new name and the opening of 1,000 stores on a single day.
“The Jan Aushadhi scheme will have a name change and the Prime Minister will announce it on June 15 when 1,000 stores will be opened,” said Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Speaking at the India Pharma Summit organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry and his Ministry, Mr. Ahir said, “We have selected some States and will make it compulsory for them to open the stores. We will give a chance only to pharmaceutical graduates to run the stores.”
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The scheme has under-performed since its inception in 2008 with only 98 of the 178 stores opened being functional. The new initiative is in line with a business plan approved in August 2013 to open 3,000 stores during the 12th Plan period — from 2013-14 to 2016-17.