Agartala, Dec 6 (TIWN): The doctors should make generic medicines more acceptable to the people by prescribing generic items, said Health Minister Badal Chowdhury in the inaugural ceremony of third generic store of the state at Tripura Medical College and Dr. BR Ambedkar Memorial Teaching Hospital, here today.

“A vast number of needy people have been affected by the high price of ‘branded’ medicines. With an aim to bring respite among the poor people, after GBP and IGM hospital, the third generic counter under ‘Jan Aushadi’ scheme has been made available onwards today”, Chowdhury said. To smoothly run the counter, regular supply of necessary items from the BPPI, Gurgaon is mandatory, he added.

After inaugurating the third generic medicine store of the state, Chowdhury further said, “With the skyrocketing costs of healthcare in recent times, choosing generic drugs may be the way to keep costs lower because generic items are available at around 1/3rd to 1/4th prices of their branded counter parts with same quality.”

To provide the benefits of generic medicine to the state people, Badal urged to Tripura Markefed to set up more stores in the every corner of the state. With the creation of new counters, much employment will be created in the state. As a result, many unemployed youths will find a way to generate income, added Badal.

To ensure the availability of quality medicines at affordable prices to all, the Dept of Pharmaceutical, Union Ministry of Chemical & Fertilizers, decided to lunch in 2008 a nation-wide campaign viz ‘Jan Aushadhi’ as a direct market intervention strategy. On behalf of the Dept of Pharmaceuticals, an independent society named the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) implementing the ‘Jan Aushadhi’ scheme since December, 2008. The Counter will be managed by the Tripura Markfed employees with the assistance and guidance from the Health & FW Department of Tripura.

It may be mentioned that the first Generic Medicine Counter was started on the March 20, this year at the AGMC & GBP Hospital and it was the first generic store among all north-eastern states while the second Generic store was inaugurated on September 28, this year.

Besides, delegates of Tripura Markfed, Member of Parliament (MP)- Sankar Prasad Datta, Health Secretary, staffs of Tripura Medical College and Dr. BR Ambedkar Memorial Teaching Hospital and other dignitaries attended the inaugural ceremony.