1,000 stores to sell generic drugs across Uttar Pradesh from July

With the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Uttar Pradesh government and the Centre expected to be signed within a week, around 1,000 stores selling generic

With the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Uttar Pradesh government and the Centre expected to be signed within a week, around 1,000 stores selling generic drugs at affordable prices on the premises of government hospitals will come up in different cities by mid-July.

The generic drug stores will be set up under the Prime Minister Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojna (PMBJAY). (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The stores will be set up under the Prime Minister Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojna (PMBJAY). Once the MoU is signed, a cabinet note on opening of these shops will come. “The move will pave way for individuals interested in opening generic drug shops under the scheme to procure the application and apply formally,” said AK Mitra, CEO, state agency for comprehensive health insurance, which is managing the scheme in the state.

Under the PMBJAY, which is different from other generic drug schemes, shops will come up at 174 district hospitals, 821 community health centres and 26 government medical colleges in the state.

As per the arrangement, the shops will come up on the premises of these government establishments and will be provided support by the government. At shops where turnover is expected high, refundable deposit of up to Rs 5 lakh could be taken from the candidate.

In the second phase, the generic drug stores will come up at bus stations, railway stations, post offices, panchayat ghar and around 35,000 common services centres in the state. “Since generic drugs are cheaper, turnover will be crucial for profit making,” said Mitra.