Mysuru: Former Minister and Krishnaraja MLA S.A. Ramdas inaugurated Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) near Rajendra Kalyana Mantap on Ramanuja Road in city on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that there are 5,300 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country and among them over 540 Kendras are located in Karnataka alone.

The PMBJK is a noble initiative by the Central Government to supply quality medicines at affordable prices to the public. The costs of medicines supplied under this scheme are 10% to 30% lesser than the cost of branded medicines sold in the open market.

About 700 types of medicines and 164 surgical items were made available at these stores. People can also buy smoking/tobacco cessation medication, nicotine-free drugs, life-saving drugs here.

He recalled that he had introduced the generic drugs for the people to buy at affordable prices when he was Medical Education Minister during Yeddyurappa’s tenure across the State.

Ramdas said that Government is also planning to open diagnostic centres in every district to help the poor patients. Measures have been taken to supply quality protein powder, nutrition powder, glucose powder for physical and mental growth of children, the future citizens of the nation.

Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India – BPPI (the  implementing agency for PMBJK) Senior Marketing Officer Dr. Anil, South India Divisional Manager Vijay Singh Rajput, Ramanuja Road Janaushadi Kendra Store Manager Preethi and others were present.