From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 12: Karnataka has emerged as the second State in the country in the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Janaushadi Programme after Uttar Pradesh, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar in Bengaluru on Saturday.

The Pradhan Mantri Janaushadi Programme helps poor, backward and middle class sections by providing medicines and also equipment necessary for surgery at concessional rates, which is affordable and useful to the needy.

As many as 1052 Janaushadi outlets have been set up and the State Government is keen on opening more outlets in rural areas to help the people, he said.

Dr Sudhakar said Uttar Pradesh is leading in the Janushadi programme implementation followed by Karnataka while Kerala is the third top State.

The minister said the State Government plans to open 500 more outlets and has submitted a proposal for opening Janaushadi outlets in government hospitals. About 300 outlets have been opened this year after February.

The generic medicines sold in Janaushadi outlets, which have become branded, are sold at 50 to 80% lesser costs than the normally sold medicines,

The Januashadi outlets sell a total of 1,451 medicines and 240 surgery equipment and the medicines include those needed for treating cancer patients, which has become quite popular among the poorer sections.

Dr Sudhakar said the Bureau of Pharmacy Public Sector Units of India (BPPUI) is providing a monthly subsidy of 15% a month subject to a limit of Rs 15,000 a month and a maximum of Rs 2.5 lakh for establishing Janaushadi outlets and 120 sq.ft. of space is provided free in government hospitals to Pharmacy graduates interested in starting such outlets.