Shah narrates transformative impact of PACS as Jan Aushadhi Kendras

Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah, and Union Chemicals and Fertilizers & Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, took center stage at the National Mega Conclave on “PACS as Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra,” a significant event focusing on cooperative initiatives.

The conclave, organized under the theme “Sahakar – se – Samriddhi,” by NCDC, aimed to showcase the substantial strides made by the Ministry of Cooperation and the advancements achieved thus far.

Besides the members of PACS who had come from various states, some notable cooperative leaders such as Sahakar Bharati President, D N Thakur, Kribhco MD Rajan Chowdhry,  Trifed Chairman Ramsinh Rathwa, NCCF Chairman Vishal Singh and several others were present. NCDC MD Pankaj Bansal was sitting in the front row.

Shah emphasized the transformative impact of allowing PACS to open Jan Aushadhi Kendras, asserting that the benefits would not only reach cooperative societies but also trickle down to the most vulnerable segments of society. Over the last nine years, approximately Rs. 26,000 crores of savings for the economically disadvantaged have been realized through Jan Aushadhi Kendras. These centers offer generic medicines at 50-90% of market prices, ensuring affordable healthcare for all.

The Ministry of Cooperation has redefined the role of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) through new model byelaws, expanding their functions beyond agricultural credit at the grassroots level. PACS are now authorized to venture into various fields, including the establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

The Union Minister highlighted key government initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, Mission Indradhanush, Jal Jeevan Mission, Digital Health, Malaria Elimination Mission, and TB Mukt Bharat Initiatives. He underscored their collective impact on transforming the healthcare landscape of the country, emphasizing the reduction in the cost of medicines through the expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

Happy with the news that many of the participants have come to the event by buying railway tickets from PACS working as CSE centres, Shah said PACS in their new avatar can do many new things.

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya revealed plans to open 2,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras through PACS in the first phase. The Department of Pharmaceuticals has already approved over 2,300 applications from PACS, with 500 currently operational. This approach aims to strengthen PACS as cooperative organizations while ensuring the widespread availability of quality and affordable medicines.

Mandaviya extolled the merits of the Jan Aushadhi scheme, especially for the economically disadvantaged. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana’s objective is to provide accessible and affordable medicines to consumers while creating employment opportunities. Currently, more than 10,500 Jan Aushadhi Kendras operate nationwide, offering over 1,965 high-quality medicines and 293 surgical and other products at significantly reduced costs compared to branded alternatives.

Symbolic certificates of store codes were presented to five PACS representatives from Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. Representatives from various PACS expressed satisfaction with the policies implemented and shared their experiences under the newly adopted model byelaws at the conclave.

The event was attended by key officials from the Ministry of Cooperation, Department of Pharmaceuticals, and representatives of Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana and PACS from across the country, highlighting the collaborative efforts towards inclusive and affordable healthcare.