Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
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Children have to stop education in some extreme cases’
The Central government has admitted that 75 lakh families fall below the poverty line annually due to the rising cost of health care in India. Replying to a question on the availability and price control on generic drugs Mansukh L. Mandaviya, MoS, Chemical and Fertilizers said: “Annually we are seeing families slipping below the poverty line because of the escalating costs of health care and medicines in India. Conditions are so poor that children have to stop their education in some extreme cases. It is vital that this fall is netted immediately.’’ He informed the House that the Central government is providing generic medicines under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) which are normally cheaper by 50-90% of average price of the top three brands. “A total 5,028 PMBJP Kendras have been opened across the country, where 714 of the 900 medicines in the product basket of PMBJP is currently available,’’ said the Minister. He explained that the product basket of PMBJP now comprises 900 medicines and 154 surgicals and consumable items. Of this, 714 medicines and 53 surgicals are now available for sale at PMBJP Kendras. The purchase orders for procurement of 24 medicines and 90 surgical items have already been issued and these medicines/surgicals will be available for sale at PMBJP Kendras in the next two months. For 162 medicines and 11 surgical items, no bids were received in the last two tenders. Floating tenders for required medicines is an ongoing process,” he said.
