Pune: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar announced a campaign for doctors to popularise the use of generic medicines in the country. He said that doctors should prescribe generic medicines to help poor people, except for complicated diseases where there is a need for specific formulas.

Javadekar visited the city and was speaking on the occasion of 3rd Jan Aushadhi Diwas. He also visited a Pradhanmantri Bhartiya Jan Aushdhi Kendra in Kothrud area of Pune city and attended the Prime Minister’s live telecast interaction from Shillong.

Javadekar interacted with the doctors and beneficiaries at the centre. Javadekar said that the Prime Minister has launched the world's biggest Health Insurance scheme which is helping 50 crore Indians. The cost of medicines at these Jan Aushadhi stores is 60 to 70 percent cheaper than market price. The prices of over 500 medicines have been reduced.

He further said that even the major operations like heart stent and knee replacement can be done at much lesser cost under this scheme. This scheme has reduced the cost of medicines so much that people call it Modi’s shop of cheap medicines. The scheme which started with only 100 Kendras has now 7500 Kendras.

Jammu and Kashmir has become the First state to give free health services to residents irrespective of their income, said the Minister. The country has 50,000 wellness centres now which provide facilities like Yoga and exercise training etc. soon there will be 1.5 lakh such centres, he added.