BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI: The Indian government will celebrate March 7, 2019, as 'Janaushadhi Day' across the country to make affordable and quality generic medicines popular among the people.

The celebration would witness participation of doctors, health experts, NGOs and beneficiaries, which would help in spreading awareness about the scheme among the masses.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address five thousand Janaushadhi stores across the country through video-conferencing on the occasion of Janaushadhi Diwas,” Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya said.

The Minister told DTMT that about 10-15 lakh people benefit from Janaushadhi medicines per day with five thousand Janaushadhi Kendras in 650 districts of the country.

The market share of generic medicines has grown over three fold from 2% to 7% in last 3 years, the minister claimed.

Mr Mandaviya stated that with this pace of progress, all blocks in the country would have at least one PMBJP Kendra by 2020.

The Janaushadhi medicines have played a big role in bringing down the out of pocket expenditure of patients suffering from life threatening diseases in India. The scheme has led to total savings of approximately Rs. 1000 crore for common citizens, as these medicines are cheaper by 50% to 90% as compared to similar branded products.