Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 7: After finding that generic drugs that are expected to be marketted by Jan Aushadhi stores set up by the central government under Jan Aushadhi scheme under which medicines are available sometimes at a discount of as high as 90 percent, are being diverted to medical shops run by individuals, a city resident has complained to the Prime Minister about it, it is gathered. Reportedly, the dealers who are given the job of supplying medicines to Jan Aushadhi stores, are the ones who are indulging in these irregularities.

It is said that the concerned are able to market generic drugs through medical stores at a huge profit as the medicines do not contain information outside that they are sold at a high discount.

It is said that Saraswati from Bejai, who has collected reliable information about this irregularity has complained to the Prime Minister through the government's public grievances portal. She also has approached union health minister, J P Nadda, through her tweet. The office of the Prime Minister has taken the matter seriously and is undertaking measures to act against this irregularity, it is learnt. Her complaint is being followed up now by National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority.

The city has two Jan Aushadhi stores, one each near Wenlock and Lady Goschen Hospitals. Two other centres are at Putrur and Beltangady.

Dakshina Kannada district health officer, Dr Ramakrishna Rao, said that stores under the scheme in the district are functioning well and that the health department has not received any complaints about such irregularities.