Imphal, May 05, 2017 (DIPR): Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh launched Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) by opening the first Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) of the State at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) today.
The scheme was launched by the Government to ensure access to good quality medicines at a cheaper price.
Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh, Union Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilizers Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya and Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri L. Jayantakumar attended the launching function held at JNIMS auditorium as chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri N. Biren Singh said that human lives are infinitely precious and the Central Government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is committed to providing quality medicines at an affordable price to the people of the country.
As such, the State Government decided to launch the scheme at the earliest possible time soon after Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya discussed the matter with him during his last visit to the State about two weeks back, the Chief Minister said.
He added that people would now get generic medicines, which have same compositions with branded drugs, at a much cheaper price from Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs).
Stating that sincerity is the key to good governance, Shri Biren conveyed that he had directed his Council of Ministers to serve the people with utmost honesty and sincerity.
Regarding his Government’s commitment towards bringing egalitarian development in the State, the Chief Minister said that he would convene review meetings of developmental works and projects being undertaken in all the districts regularly.
In his speech, Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya stated that the Central Government had vowed to take on the mantle of making healthcare affordable to the middle class and poor people of the country.
Saying that people need not to worry about the quality of generic medicines available under PMBJP, the Union Minister clarified that these medicines/drugs had been tested at multiple levels and certified by WHO.
Observing that healthcare usually requires huge sum of money and it sometimes gives a big burden to poor families, Shri Mandaviya expressed hope that PMBJP would give a great relief of sigh to the people of the country as selected medicines and medical devices would now be available at affordable prices under the scheme.
Stent makers had recently expressed ire to the Government for hugely slashing the price of bare metal stents, the Minister said.
However, this move had benefitted to millions of poor people, he added.
He also urged the doctors to prescribe generic medicines instead of costly branded medicines in order to help the poor people.
Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), which is the nodal implementing agency of PMBJP, also provides one-time financial assistance of up to Rs 2.5 lakh to those who wish to open a PMBJK, he said.
During his speech, he also mentioned about Central Government and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s commitment to pay more attention to less developed parts of the country.
Speaking at the occasion, Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri L Jayantakumar urged the public not to spread wrong propaganda against generic medicines. He said that quality had not been compromised in manufacturing generic medicines, which are to be distributed under PMBJP.
He expressed hope that the medical fraternity of the State would join hand with the Government in making PMBJP a success.
The dignitaries present at the function also distributed licences for opening 26 PMBJKs at different parts of the State.
Later, the Chief Minister opened the first PMBJK of the State at the Block adjacent to JNIMS OPD.
It may be mentioned that the Government provides more than 600 medicines and 154 medical devices at an affordable price through PMBJKs.
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