Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the medicines that are sold in government-run medical shops are 50-90 per cent cheaper compared to the branded ones and they strictly adhere to the international norms prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

In his first address to the nation in the New Year, through the radio programme, Mann Ki Baat , Modi said several people have been writing to him about the benefits of these medical stores called ‘Jan Aushadhi Kendras’ run under the government’s ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana’ .

“The motive behind this scheme is making healthcare affordable and encouraging Ease of Living. Medicines available at the Jan Aushadhi centres are 50-90 per cent cheaper than branded drugs available in the market. This is a great help for the common man, especially for senior citizens who require medicines on a daily basis and results in a lot of savings,” the Prime Minister said.

Modi said the generic drugs sold in such medical stores conform to the prescribed standards set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). He said over 3,000 such shops are operational across the country.

“This has led not only to availability of cheaper medicines, but also new employment opportunities for individual entrepreneurs. Affordable medicines are now available at ‘Amrit Stores’ at Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Centres and at hospitals. The sole aim behind this step is ensuring availability of quality and affordable health service to the poorest of the poor, so that a healthy and prosperous India comes into being,” he said.

Women power

The Prime Minister also spoke at great length on the issue of gender equality and women empowerment. From Rani Lakshmibai to the tribal women in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh who are facing daily struggle due to the conflict between government forces and Maoist rebels, the Prime Minister dedicated a substantial part of his speech to women power.

“Today women are not just advancing in myriad fields, they are leaders. There are many sectors where our woman power is playing a pioneering role, establishing milestones … Dantewada in Chhattisgarh is a Maoist-infested region. Violence, torture, explosives, guns, pistols… the Maoists have created a reign of terror. In this dangerous atmosphere, Adivasi women are becoming self reliant by driving e-rickshaws. In a short span of time, a number of women have become part of this phenomenon,” he said.

On the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas that was held on January 9, the Prime Minister said Indians based abroad are increasingly achieving greater success in the countries they are located, while maintaining strong ties with their homeland.

“Whether working in the field of cyber security, or dedicated to Ayurveda, entertaining the society through music, or through poetry, someone researching on climate change or working on ancient Indian texts, someone driving a truck for livelihood, who went on to construct a Gurudwara or has built a mosque — wherever our people are, they have in their own way embellished or adorned the land of their adoption,” he said.