Minister Ananth Kumar Launches Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
Mangaluru: The Matrabhoomi Sauharda Sahakari Niyamita in association with Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India (BPPI) Delhi jointly organised the launching of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana at the T V Ramana Pai hall here on April 22.
The programme began with an invocation. President of Matrabhoomi Sauharda Sahakari Niyamita, Bhasker Devasya welcomed the gathering. The programme was inaugurated by the Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais. Later Ananth Kumar launched the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana by unveiling the plaque.
Addressing the gathering Ananth Kumar said, “We are starting the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana in 100 centers in Dakshina Kannada so that the poor and marginalized people get medicines at a cheaper price. Doctors should prescribe generic medicines instead of prescribing branded medicines. In the coming days, the government will set a legal framework for doctors to prescribe generic medicines. The generic medicines are cheaper than the branded ones. Narendra Modiji’s dream is to provide quality medicine to the poor people at affordable price.”
Ananth Kumar further said, “In the last 70 years every year we produce Rs 2 lakh crore worth of medicine. India is called as the Pharmacy of the World. We export Rs 1 lakh crore worth of medicines to 216 countries. In the information technology, aerospace, nuclear, biotechnology, automobiles and Pharmacy India is a Global power. If any patient in the world consumes 5 tablets, 2 tablets out of the 5 are made in India. We consume Rs 1 lakh crore worth of medicine. In a survey conducted recently, we have realised that 50% of the poor people get generic medicine.
Ananth Kumar also said, “When we started the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, in the country there were only 99 centers but now 1100 centers have been started and they operate successfully. I congratulate MP Nalin Kumar for taking the initiative to start 100 centers in Dakshina Kannada. Health minister Ramesh Kumar asked me to start 200 centers in Karnataka. On April 22, we have inaugurated 5 centers in Mangaluru where 650 day-to-day consuming medicines and 150 supplements will be available, such as diabetic, cancer, HIV+ and other medicines will be available at a reasonable price. If a medicine costs Rs 100 in the market, the same type of generic medicine will be available for Rs 30. We need food security and along with that we also need health security. Without medicines, we cannot give health security. Now the health security has become very expensive because of expensive medicines. Many people suffer from heart problems for which most of them have to place a stent. For a normal stent the hospital charges Rs 45000 to 50000 and for the drug-eluting stent, it costs about Rs 1.5 lakh. But the Modi government has decided to fix a price for the ordinary stent to Rs 7,500 and for the special stent Rs 30,000. In our country, 6 crore people suffer heart problems. Every year 5 lakh people are operated to place the stent, and their families sell their property to save their loved ones. Now the government has reduced the price for the stent which will benefit all.”
Ananth Kumar also said, “The Modi government is committed to providing health security to every poor person and awareness should be created. I urge the doctors not to prescribe branded medicines, instead prescribe generic medicines. When you prescribe generic medicine to the patients the self-help groups can provide the generic medicines for the poor. The doctors should compulsorily prescribe generic medicines. We will set a legal framework so that the Pharmacists will provide generic medicines even if the doctors prescribe branded medicines.
Pharmacist students pursuing their education should get jobs in Mangaluru. They should start their own pharmacies. After Narendra Modiji become the prime minister, he worked for the welfare of the poor people. He has brought changes and worked for the transformation of the country. Through the Jan Dhan scheme 22 crore people have opened the bank accounts. Through the Ujwala scheme, more than 2 crore people have got free gas connections. In 2 years, more than 3 crore families will get free gas connections.”
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has brought Rs 10000 crore from the Union government for the development of Dakshina Kannada in the last three years. There should be a Tie up with MRPL, MCF and Karnataka government to start a Plastic Park in Mangaluru at a cost of Rs 1000 crore. Through this 30000 youth will get jobs and foreign companies will come to Mangaluru for investment. Plastic is used in automobiles, agriculture, sprinkler, medical devices etc but the products are produced in Mumbai and Gujarat. We need to open a plastic park in Karnataka and Mangaluru is the best place to start a plastic park. The Modi government is committed to starting the Plastic park.”
Minister of State for Drinking Water & Sanitation Ramesh Jigajinagi also spoke on the occasion.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Capt Ganesh Karnik, Kasturi Panja and others were also present.