Railway station shops to sell generic medicine

The Indian Railways will soon sell generic low-cost medicines in its existing multi-purpose stalls at railways station aimed at make available quality medicines to poor at an affordable price.

"The Railway Board has decided that a policy provision will be made that existing Multi Purpose Stalls (MPS) at Railway stations may be authorized to stock generic low-cost medicines also in accordance with the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme," Minster of state for Railways Rajen Gohain informed Lok Sabha in his written reply.

Under the existing Multi-Purpose Stall policy, in order to have single outlet/stall at platforms for non catering items required during travelling, it has been decided to set up MPS at Railway stations wherein items permitted for sale are miscellaneous items, books/magazines/newspapers, chemist stall items-OTC (over the counter) medicines and non-pharmacy milk powder etc the minister said.

Under Bharatiya Janaushadi Kendra scheme, the Department of Pharma will tie up with railways to supply generic medicines to shops at railway stations.

Around 2000 Janaushadhi Kendras already functioning across the country mostly in government hospitals.

The government procured generic medicines are 50% - 90% cheaper compared to their counterpart, branded medicines. More than 600 medicines and 154 surgical and consumables for the majority of health ailments are supplied to these shops, said an official in the Department of Pharma.