Khuba asks doctors, health workers to promote use of generic drugs

‘Janaushadi Kendras have helped people save money on medicine’

Calling upon doctors, health workers and ASHAs to promote the use of generic drugs, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Bhagwanth Khuba said here on Friday that these drugs greatly reduce the cost of medicine for people.

Speaking at the Janaushadhi Mitra Sammelan, Mr. Khuba said that 145 generic medicines are available at the Janaushadi Kendras and these drugs are sold at a cost that is less than 70% to 90% of the cost of branded drugs. “By making generic drugs available at affordable cost, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has helped people save cost on medicine to a great extent,” he said.

Citing an instance, Mr. Khuba said that the branded Atorvastatin drug, which is prescribed to lower cholesterol, costs ₹12 per tablet, while the same medicine is available at 0.98 paise in a generic drug store.