In a move to ensure affordable healthcare, the Delhi government has decided to establish Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras across all state-run hospitals, enabling patients to access inexpensive medicines easily.
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Officials stated that all Delhi government hospitals—except Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathic facilities—have been directed to set up at least one Jan Aushadhi Kendra on their premises. This initiative will spare patients from purchasing expensive branded medicines from private pharmacies, as they can now access quality generic alternatives at significantly lower costs. Several hospitals, including GB Pant Hospital, Lok Nayak Hospital, Sanjay Gandhi Memorial, Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital, and Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, have already started the process of establishing these medical stores.
Additionally, in emergencies where a particular medicine is unavailable at a health facility, hospitals will be permitted to procure it from Jan Aushadhi Kendras instead of relying on local purchases unless absolutely necessary.
Senior health department officials said that the BJP government made the decision to open these pharmacies earlier this month. Delhi Health Minister Mr. Pankaj Kumar Singh has instructed medical superintendents and health officials to streamline medicine procurement through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) under the central government’s Department of Pharmaceuticals. To facilitate this, a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Centre, ensuring seamless procurement of medicines across all government hospitals.
The initiative was also backed by a six-member committee led by Dr. S.K. Sarin, which was appointed by the Delhi High Court in February last year. The committee had recommended several measures to address infrastructure challenges and medicine shortages in Delhi government and MCD-run hospitals, including the establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Sources revealed that a similar proposal was submitted to the previous government but was not accepted. However, Chief Minister Ms. Rekha Gupta recently approved the citywide implementation of the scheme. “This initiative will particularly benefit economically weaker sections, providing affordable medicines for critical illnesses such as cancer and diabetes,” an official said.
Jan Aushadhi Kendras provide WHO-certified medicines and medical supplies at significantly lower prices—ranging from 50% to 90% cheaper than branded alternatives. These stores will stock over 2,000 quality generic medicines and 300 surgical devices covering a wide range of therapeutic needs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer treatments, diabetes care, anti-infective medications, anti-allergy drugs, gastrointestinal solutions, and nutraceuticals.
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