1000 generic medicine stores to be opened in June

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“The government is also planning to rope in both the private sector and public sector units to help in providing uninterrupted supply of generic medicines to these new stores,” Ahir said adding that the government will start off with 504 medicines and then scale it over 670 medicines.

According to the minister, the government is ensuring that the new generic stores will be handed over to unemployed youths who have either a diploma or a graduation in pharmacy.

“We will ensure that these stores are run by unemployed youths and they sell only generic drugs,” Ahir said adding that the first set of stores will be opened at district level public hospitals and medical colleges.

Apart from generic medicine shops, the government is also looking to revive sick pharma central PSUs (Public Sector Units). “The revival of these PSUs will be done through a self-financing model,” said Sudhansh Pant, joint secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals.

“A portion of the land holdings held by these PSUs will be sold off and the money generated will be used to finance these units. This will thus not require any budgetary support or financial assistance from the government,” Pant added.

The government will be using this self-financing model to revive sick drug manufacturing units like Indian Drugs Pharmaceuticals Ltd (IDPL), Hindustan Antibiotics and Bengal Chemicals.