Government proposes more generic drug stores in North-East

A parliamentary committee in India has suggested opening more government drug stores in northeastern states and union territories. This is to address the uneven distribution of Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which provide affordable generic medicines at prices 50-80% lower than branded drugs. Currently, the central government aims to establish 15,000 Kendras by March 31. However, the committee found that some regions have very few outlets. For example, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have only nine Kendras, while Ladakh has two. Other states like Manipur, Meghalaya, and Mizoram also have fewer outlets than needed. The committee has called for a structured expansion of these stores, especially in areas where they are limited. The Union government has set aside ₹ 335.50 crore for the Jan Aushadhi scheme in the fiscal year 2025-26. The committee highlighted that with India’s population of over 1.4 billion, the current number of Kendras amounts to one outlet per 93,000 people. It believes this is inadequate, especially in rural and remote areas. There is no clear estimation of how many more Kendras are needed in these underserved regions. The committee urged the Department of Pharmaceuticals to conduct studies and create a detailed plan. They want to ensure that every district has enough Kendras based on population density and local healthcare access. The government has also set a goal to open 25,000 Kendras by March 2027.