Lok Sabha Question No. 2952 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-15
Subject: Promotion of Generic Drugs
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2952 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15 th  MARCH, 2016

## Promotion of Generic Drugs

## 2952. SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  promote  generic  drugs  at affordable prices in the country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof, drug-wise and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) : Yes, Madam. With a view to achieving the objective of making available quality medicines at affordable prices, the Government has been taking several regulatory and  fiscal  measures  from  time  to  time.  In  order  to  provide  further  relief  to  the common  man  in  the  area  of  healthcare,  a  countrywide  campaign  for  ensuring availability  of  generic  medicines  at  affordable  prices  to  all,  in  the  name  of  'Jan Aushadhi', was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in November, 2008 in collaboration with the State Governments as a direct market intervention strategy.

Under the Jan Aushadhi Scheme, those Jan Aushadhi Stores proposed within Government  hospital  premises,  a  one-time  financial  assistance  to  the  extent  of Rs.2.50 Lakh (Rs. 1 Lakh for furnishing, Rs. 50000/- for computer and peripherals, Refrigerator etc. and another Rs 1 Lakh worth medicines to commence operations) is granted. Besides,  the  Jan  Aushadhi  Stores  run  by  private  entrepreneurs/ pharmacists/  Non-Governmental  Organizations/  charitable  organizations  that  are linked  with  the  Bureau  of  Pharma  Public  Sector  Undertakings  of  India  (BPPI),  the implementing agency through internet will get an incentive upto Rs. 1.50 lakh.  This will be given @ 10% of monthly sales subject to a ceiling of Rs. 10,000/- per month upto a limit of Rs.1.5 lakhs. In North-Eastern States, Naxal affected areas and tribal areas,  the  rate  of  incentive  will  be  15%  and  subject  to  a  monthly  ceiling  of  Rs. 15,000/- and total limit of Rs. 1.5 lakhs. The margin available for the Retailers is upto

20%  and  for  Distributors  upto  10%  has  also  been  increased  so  as  to  ensure  a reasonable level of profitability for them.

- (b):  Presently  488  drugs  and  surgicals  and  consumables  are  included  in  Jan Aushadhi Scheme. The available medicines (therapeutic category wise) available in the scheme at present are as under:

| S. No.   | Therapeutic category                  |   No. of Medicines |
|----------|---------------------------------------|--------------------|
| 1.       | Anti-allergy                          |                  8 |
| 2.       | Anti-infective                        |                127 |
| 3.       | Anti-cancer                           |                 10 |
| 4.       | Antidiabetic agents                   |                 25 |
| 5.       | Central Nervous System disease        |                 25 |
| 6.       | Cardio Vascular Agents                |                 66 |
| 7.       | Eye Nose Throat product               |                  2 |
| 8.       | Eye disease                           |                  4 |
| 9.       | Gastro Intestinal Tract disease       |                 55 |
| 10.      | Harmon                                |                  3 |
| 11.      | Non Opoidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs   |                  4 |
| 12.      | Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs |                 51 |
| 13.      | Nutrient                              |                  1 |
| 14.      | Respiratory disease                   |                 40 |
| 15.      | Skin disease                          |                 18 |
| 16.      | Vaccine                               |                  1 |
| 17.      | Vitamins & Minerals                   |                 28 |
| 18.      | Miscellaneous disease                 |                 20 |
|          | Total                                 |                488 |

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