Medical education minister S A Ramdas announced that the facility of buying drugs at generic drug stores that offer 50 per cent discount is not limited to patients availing treatment at government hospitals.
Speaking at the inauguration of Atalji Janata Bazaar Generic Drug Store here on Tuesday, Ramdas said any person can avail the medicines available at the generic drug stores. He said doctors have already been asked to prescribe generic drugs to patients.
Mentioning that the drug stores would be open from 8 am to 8 pm, Ramdas said even though the country is first in producing generic drugs, USA is first in terms of market share.
He also revealed that plans are afoot to provide 10 litres of drinking water at a cost of only one rupee at the K R Hospital in the city.
Ramdas reminisced that his visit to KIMS in Hubli was the reason, due to which generic drug store was introduced. Ramdas said when he had visited KIMS in private vehicle, he found that an elderly lady was crying as she was unable to purchase medicines for her grandson.
Realising that thousands of people face the issue, plans were made to open generic drug stores in the state, he added.
Earlier, cricketer Javagal Srinath inaugurated the generic drug store and laid the foundation stone for outpatient dispensary building.
He said that providing drugs at discount price was welcome, but people should take measures to prevent the disease. He said there is a need to improve awareness among people about cleanliness. He urged people to make use of the generic drug store.
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