In order to provide medicine at affordable rates, the Gujarat Government will open 1,000 generic medical stores by the end of year 2017, said Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
Speaking at the inauguration function of newly developed anti-cancer manufacturing facility of India’s oldest pharmaceutical company — Alembic Pharmaceuticals limited here, Rupani said that already 250 medical stores of generic medicines are functioning in the States which are selling medicines up to 70 per cent cheaper than that of branded medicines.
The Chief Minister said that a mobile application has been developed by the Government to identify various formulations required for different diseases. Gujarat is having a lion’s share in the pharmaceutical sector of the country, he said, adding that Modi Government at the centre is encouraging companies to invest in research & development (R&D) through make-in-India and start-up India initiatives.
‘’People will reap benefits of pro-poor initiative of Central and State Government in near future. As far as the State Government is concerned, 35 lakh families are taking advantage of Ma Amrutam as well as Ma Vatsalya schemes under which they are getting Rs 2 lakh aid in case of fatal diseases like cancer,’’ he said.
The CM claimed that investors from across the globe are thronging to invest in Gujarat as the State has emerged as major investment destination as a result of Vibrant Gujarat event initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was Gujarat CM.
During the last Vibrant Gujarat summit held earlier this year, the State Government announced 17 policies to attract investment in different sectors, he said, claiming that new factories are being open in the State regularly and providing employment opportunities to the youth of Gujarat. The state is also improving on the ease of doing business and transparency in permission processes, he added.
Speaking on the occasion Chairman and CEO of Alembic Pharmaceuticals Chirayu Amin said that the new anti-cancer division has been established at an estimated investment of Rs. 300 crores. The oncology related products to be manufactured here will be exported to US, Middle East, North Africa, Australia and South Africa markets.