Bengaluru: Ruling out permission to sell branded medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras (Generic Medical Shops), Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertiliser D.V. Sadananda Gowda (DVS) said ayurvedic medicines will be sold across the counter at very nominal rates in the coming days.

Speaking after virtual inauguration of Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Regional Office in Hubballi, he said the BJP led NDA Government at the Centre was giving good quality medicine at discounts ranging from 10 per cent to 90 per cent. A Generic Medicine App was available which will not only help to find out the generic shops near them but also show in which shop a particular medicine with chemical composition and brand is available. 

The Union Government has an ambitious plan to open 1,000 general medical shops across the State soon, he said.

DVS said while the cost of branded medicine for the common diseases like diabetes and blood sugar will cost Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 2,500, the same was available for Rs. 400 to Rs. 500 at Generic Medical Shops. Instruction had been given to all Government Hospitals and Medical Colleges to prescribe only generic medicines. This had already been discussed with Health and Medical Education Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar. Once this was launched in Government Hospitals it would automatically get publicity among people, he noted.

The Union Minister also read out a letter written by a citizen saying that he would spend Rs. 3,000 on buying medicine for his father every month but now the same medicine was available for just Rs.210 in Generic Medical Shops.

Co-operation Minister S.T.Somashekar said the Union Government has launched several programmes for the welfare of common people including the Jan Aushadhi Stores. Those programmes were being highlighted all over the State through Department of Co-operation.