Srinagar, May 09 (Scoop News) – The Governor, N. N. Vohra, today emphasized the need for making available quality medicines to the people at affordable prices and simultaneously dealing effectively with the menace of spurious drugs.
The Governor was addressing after inaugurating first Jan Aushadhi Generic Drugs Store in Jammu and Kashmir at the Red Cross Complex, Exchange Road, here this evening. This Generic Drugs outlet has been set up under the initiative of the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and coordinated by the Pharma PSUs of India with a view to providing quality medicines to the people at affordable prices.
The Governor observed that the availability of generic drugs manufactured by the Central and State PSUs can contribute significantly towards tackling the problem of the rapid increase in the prices of drugs, injectibles and other material required for medical care. He said that there is enormous difference, upto fifteen times more, between the prices of branded and generic drugs. In this context, he stressed the need for popularizing generic drugs. He said that the doctors have an important role in popularizing generic drugs in the State.
Referring to the activities of the Red Cross, the Governor called for dynamic efforts being made to mobilize adequate resources to give meaningful momentum to ameliorative activities in the State. He appealed to the affluent sections of the society, philanthropists and the corporate sector to donate liberally to the Red Cross Society in the State to help those in distress.
The Governor gave away cash awards to three drivers of the Indian Red Cross Society who had done commendable work during summer last year. He interacted with the awardee drivers and lauded the good work done by them. He presided over the Lucky Bag Draw of the Red Cross and took out three tickets which won the first three prizes.
The Minister for Medical Education, R. S. Chib announced that generic drugs outlets will be set up in the Government Medical College Hospitals at Srinagar and Jammu as well as the Associated Hospitals thereof soon. He said that the Government is in the process of formulating a Drug Policy in the State.
Speaking on the occasion, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. A. H. Samoon gave details of the activities of the Regional Red Cross Society, Kashmir and those planned for the future.
The former Director, SKIMS, Srinagar, Dr. Abdul Hamid Zargar dwelt on the various aspects related to the pharma industry in the country.
The Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Dr. Shahida Mir said that adequate space has been earmarked in the Hospital for establishing generic drugs outlet.
The Executive Director, BPPI, P. Venkatesan said that generic drugs outlets will be shortly set up at Anantnag, Jammu, Leh and Kargil to make available quality medicines to the needy at cheaper rates.
In his welcome address, the Hony General Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, J&K State Branch, Feroze Ahmad, gave details of the activities of the Red Cross Society in the State and the aims and objects of the Jan Aushadhi Campaign.
The Secretary, Regional Red Cross Society, Kashmir, Abdul Jabar presented a Vote of Thanks.
Among those present on occasion were Principal Secretary to the Governor, R. K. Goyal, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, M. A. Kakroo, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Kifayat Ahmad Rizvi, a galaxy of the functionaries and members of the Red Cross Society, representatives of the International Society of Red Cross, senior officers, prominent citizens, and representatives of various NGOs, social activists and student volunteers of Red Cross.