Union Health Minister JP Nadda assured lok Sabha on Friday that the Government would ensure enough availability of generic drugs in chemist shops.
Speaking during the Question Hour, Nadda said the Government was attempting to strengthen Public Health Centres (PHCs) and other medical facilities across the country and provide basic medicines at susbsidised rates.
Health Minister JP Nadda told the lok Sabha that the Centre has given emphasis on strengthening medical centres with all facilities so that the poor get better treatment.
“Strengthening of PHC and other health facilities is our priority. We are also planning to provide medicines at subsidised rates,” he said during Question Hour.
Referring to generic medicine, Nadda said the Government was emphasising on capacity building, training and holding of regular workshops to popularise the generic medicines.
“While it is the endeavour of the Government to encourage generic medicines, the present CGHS formulary includes 622 branded medicines in addition to 1,447 generic medicines. There are no specific orders for issue of only generic medicines,” he said.
One of the member asked the Health Minister to ensure that anti-biotic medicines were available only after prescription was shown to the chemist.
On supply of free cancer medicines, the Health Minister said the Government was stressing on early diagnosis of cancer and selecting institutions for cancer therapy and trying that treatment cost is regulated “cheaper”.