VIJAYAWADA: The State health department has decided to set up Jan Aushadhi shops at all Government General Hospitals (GGHs) to provide affordable generic medicines and curb excessive pricing by private drug retailers.
Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav approved the initiative following a review of existing private medical stores operating at 16 GGHs. Currently, 23 private stores operate in these hospitals, while Nandyal GGH has none. These stores have been flagged for charging profit margins ranging from 50% to 600% on certain drugs, officials said.
The proposed Jan Aushadi outlets will be run by the Indian Red Cross Society under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadi Pariyojana (PM-BJAP). The scheme mandates a maximum profit margin of 15%, aiming to prevent price exploitation. Sales will be monitored using software developed by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to ensure pricing transparency.
Officials highlighted that many private stores currently operate under the guise of self-help groups or cooperative societies but exploit pricing loopholes, sell branded drugs without prescriptions, and stock only 30% to 40% of essential generic medicines.
Jan Aushadhi shops will primarily stock generic drugs, with exceptions for branded medicines permitted only with prior approval and when generic alternatives are unavailable.
Minister Yadav has also directed health officials to assess the feasibility of expanding Jan Aushadhi outlets to District and Area Hospitals, given the higher patient footfall in these facilities.
District Collectors, who head local Red Cross branches, will oversee the rollout and functioning of these stores to ensure accountability and better patient service, officials added.
Health dept guidelines for emergency preparedness
In view of the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the State Health Department has issued a high-priority directive to all District Medical and Health Officers (DM&HOs) across Andhra Pradesh to ensure immediate emergency preparedness.
The directive, signed by G Veerapandian,Commissioner of Health & Family Welfare and Mission Director of National Health Mission (NHM), mandates strict compliance to enhance healthcare infrastructure readiness for any unforeseen situations.
The instructions emphasise maintaining ample stocks of essential medicines, blood supply, oxygen, trauma kits, and the readiness of hospitals from PHCs to tertiary facilities like GGHs. All medical personnel, including doctors and nurses, must be mobilised for emergency deployment, while coordination with armed forces, private hospitals, and charitable institutions is encouraged to reinforce the response network.
Leave for all Health Department officers has been cancelled with immediate effect, except on medical grounds. The DM&HOs are also instructed to appoint nodal officers for emergency coordination, prepare directories of medical facilities and chemical industries, and set up 24/7 district control rooms if needed.
The advisory designates contact points for technical support in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies, including Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) expert Dr Pradeep in Delhi and the Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) Centre in Visakhapatnam. State Nodal Officer Dr Y Subramanyam will coordinate support and response. The department has made it clear that any negligence or delay in implementing these instructions will be taken seriously.