The Centre is coming out with a revised strategy for 'Jan Aushadhi' scheme, which seeks to provide quality medicines at affordable price, to expand its reach across the country.
"We are coming out with a revised strategy for Jan Aushadhi to see that drugs are available to public in the years to come," Union Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilisers Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said at FICCI-organised 'India Pharma Summit 2014-15' here.
The scheme is being revisited to expand its reach across the country. Details are being worked out by Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India (BPPI) in consultation with Department of Pharmaceuticals, he said.
The Government will also open around 1,000 Jan Aushadhi stores in the near future, Ahir added.
To make the scheme successful, the Centre has sought participation of private pharmaceutical companies, the Minister told the event.
Meanwhile, industry officials taking part in the summit said said the key sector has made significant progress in providing access to medicines to people worldwide during the past decades.
The pharma industry accounts for 8 per cent of global production, and caters to over 200 countries. India is a major vaccine producer and has 18 major manufacturing facilities.
Although India has been the global supplier of high quality medicines, maintaining continuous access to essential medicines remains a challenge to the health system, they said.
