Sir,

The State Government has decided to close the Janaushadhi Kendras — a flagship initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi — located within the Government Hospital premises.

The reason cited by State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao is that these Kendras are unnecessary since Government Hospitals are expected to provide medicines free of cost, eliminating the need for doctors to prescribe them.

It is commendable that the Government Hospitals offer free medicines to patients. However, there may be instances when specific medicines are unavailable, compelling doctors to prescribe them from external sources.

In such cases, the Janaushadhi Kendras, which sell generic medicines at significantly lower prices than branded ones, should be the first choice.

Furthermore, even individuals not receiving treatment at these hospitals often purchase medicines from the Kendras. Hence, it is difficult to understand the rationale behind the Minister’s decision to shut them down. Their closure is certainly not in the public interest.

— K.R. Jayaprakash Rao,  Nazarbad,  27.5.2025

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