A Parliamentary Standing Committee today expressed its satisfaction over the efforts of Jammu and Kashmir government and Red Cross in implementing the Jan Aushadhi Scheme, a Centre-sponsored initiative to provide quality generic medicines to people at affordable price.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on Chemicals and Fertilisers, comprising of 11 members headed by Gopinath Munde, visited the Red Cross House here and reviewed the implementation of the Scheme, an official spokesman said.
Indian Red Cross Society has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the scheme in the state.
As many as three Jan Aushadhi stores, one each at Srinagar, Leh in Ladakh region and Anantnag in south Kashmir are already functioning in the state.
"An interactive session was held in the office of the General Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, J&K state, Roma Wani, in which Principal GMC, Srinagar, Rafiq Pampori and President of the Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Units of India (BPPI) participated," the spokesman said.
Wani highlighted the benefits of the scheme especially for the poor people, who cannot afford high-priced branded life-saving medicines.
She said opening of many more Jan Aushudhi stores is on the cards and steps are afoot to extend the benefits of the scheme to large number of people of the state.
Wani also drew the attention of the high-powered committee and the BPPI towards the shortcomings of the Scheme and the challenges being faced by the Red Cross for effective implementation of the scheme in the State.
The committee was assured by the President of the BPPI that every possible help would be extended to make the Jan Aushadhi scheme a success.
