Modi Government plans to provide essential medicines at 40-60% lower rates

The Centre is planning to provide essential medicines at 40-60% lower rates through its 'Jan-Aushdi' medical stores, Union Minister Ananth Kumar said on Thursday.

"In last one year more than 300 life saving medicines which are used to treat diseases like cancer, AIDS and other, the Modi government has brought them under drug price control," the Minister of Chemicals and Fertiliser said.

There are also plans to reduce the prices of medicines, the Minister said. The department of pharmaceuticals comes under his ministry.

"We are planning to increase the total number of Jan-Aushdi stores to 3,000, and at these stores essential medicines will be provided at 40%, 50% and 60% lower rates," Kumar said at an event organised by private news channel Aaj Tak.

The minister also said that urea prices have not been increased and there will not be any hike in next four years. "In coming four years there will not be any increase in urea prices. And keeping the prices at Rs 5,360 per tonne, we will increase the domestic production of fertilisers," he said.