Paswan also opened the SME Pharma Centre, a first-ever facility for small and medium sized pharmaceutical units, at National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in Mohali.

Speaking at the inauguration of the drug store, Paswan said the Pharma Advisory Forum had decided to facilitate the opening of generic drug stores in each district. In September 2008, the matter was discussed with the states and accordingly Punjab was the first to approach the central government in November desiring to open such stores in the state.

In the first phase, 155 medicines and surgical items, produced by public sector undertakings, will be made available at these stores while 448 more medicines and surgical items will be made available in the second phase. These government-assisted retail stores will sell unbranded generic medicines as part of the Centre’s multi-stakeholder strategy to make medicines affordable for the people. The plan involves drug-making public sector units, pharmaceutical companies and NGOs.

Though the companies will be allowed to keep margins between 18 and 25 per cent, yet the cost of generic medicines sold at these shops will be lower than other retailers, an official said.

At NIPER, the minister said that the Indian pharmaceutical industry had touched a remarkable achievement of Rs 72,000 crore and the rates of Indian medicines are lower when compared to the international market.

“We have slashed the rates of over 850 medicines with the help of the public and private pharma industry in order to make it accessible to the common people,” Paswan said.

Elaborating upon other health schemes, including a health insurance scheme for BPL families, Paswan said the revival of public sector undertakings was in progress.