Midnapore, May 30 (IANS). People of Western Medinipur district of West Bengal are benefiting from Prime Minister Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Project (PMBJP). PMBJP is an initiative of the Central Government, which aims to provide quality medicines at low prices.
Under this scheme, Jan Aushadhi centers have been set up in different parts of the district, where necessary generic medicines are available at a price of 50 percent to 90 percent. These shops are proving to be a lifeline for many people, especially for people of economically weaker sections. Local people said that the medicines available at these centers are not only cheap, but also effective and reliable. Many such centers are already present in Western Medinipur. Demand to open more centers in remote areas is increasing.
Santu Ghosh, the director of a Jan Aushadhi Kendra, shared his experience in a special conversation with news agency IANS. He told that he has been running a shop for a year. Initially people were hesitating because they did not know about generic medicines. But after the advertisement, people’s response was very good. For example, 15 tablets of paracetamol are available here for just 15 rupees. At the same time, its branded medicines are very expensive. Under this scheme, medicines save 50 to 90 percent. He thanked the Prime Minister for this initiative.
Harvinder Singh, who purchased medicines from the center, said, “I have been taking medicines from here for some time. It is really good. The quality is very good and it is saving a lot of our money.”
The aim of PMBJP, launched in November 2008, is to provide quality generic medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this scheme has gained momentum and now thousands of such centers are being operated across the country.
To promote the use of generic drugs, 7 March is celebrated as ‘Jan Aushadhi Divas’ every year. This year, programs and awareness campaigns were conducted across the country as part of a week -long campaign from 1 to 7 March, which encouraged people to use these centers.
-IANS
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