Over
the years India, has developed a strong capability in producing quality branded
and generic medicines in most of the therapeutic categories, evolving from an
mere Rs 1500 crores industry in 1980 to a more than Rs 68,000 crores industry
in 2008. However,although these medicines are reasonably priced, as
compared to the prices of their equivalent medicines in most other countries,
yet a large population of poor people in the country, find it difficult to
afford the more expensive branded category of medicines.
Accordingly,
'ensuring availability of quality medicines at affordable prices to all', has
been a key objective of the Government. some of the important steps taken to
enable this are:
a)
Price control of Scheduled Drugs through the National Pharmaceutical pricing
authority (NPPA): Under the Drug Price Control Order, 1995, NPPA): Under the
Drug Price Control Order, 1995, NPPA has been given the mandate to control
and fix the maximum retail prices of a number of scheduled/listed bulk
drugs and their formulations, in accordance with well defined criteria and
methods of accounting, relating to costs of production and marketing Notably
therefore, the prices of these medicines have remained quite stable and
affordable.
b)
Price regulation of Non-Scheduled Drugs: Apart from the scheduled medicines
under DPCO,1995, the NPPA monitors the prices of other medicines not listed
in the DPCO schedule, such that they do not have a price variation of more
than 10% per annum. This has further helped in keeping the prices of most of
the non-scheduled medicines stable and affordable.
c)
Uniform VAT of 4% on medicines: Government has fixed a uniform and low rate
of 4% VAT on medicines in the country. This policy has been adopted, in
almost all the States in the country, and has reduced the incidence of sales
tax on medicines and thereby assisted in keeping their prices low.
d)
Reduction in Excise duty from 16% to 4% Further and in addition to above low,
VAT rates, the [present government had, as part of the Budget for the year
2008-09 reduced the excise duty on medicines from 16% to 8%. This has been
further reduced to 4 percent as from 8th December, 2008. This has again,
played a crucial role in keeping the prices of most of the medicines at
reasonable levels.
Not
satisfied with the above regulatory and financial steps for ensuring greater availability
of medicines at affordable prices to all, specially the poorer masses, the
government has decided to launch a country wide Jan Aushadhi Campaign.
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It
is well known that due to market led consumer awareness and availability,
branded medicines are sold by drug manufacturers at higher prices than their
unbranded generic equivalents, which are as good in therapeutic value.
Therefore,
if generic medicines are made more accessible and available in the market,
everyone would benefit. Seizing this opportunity, the Pharma Advisory Forum
in its meeting held on 23rd April, 2008 under the Chairmanship of Shri Ram
Vilas Paswan, Hon'ble Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers and
Steel, Decided to launch a Jan Aushadhi Campaign. A key initiative under the
campaign would involve opening of jan aushadhi stores where, unbranded
quality generic medicines would be sold which are available at lower prices,
but are equivalent in potency to branded expensive drugs.
Accordingly,
a Task Force of senior officers of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, CEOs of
Pharma CPSUs, representatives of pharma industry, NGOs/charitable
organizations, State Governments, and most importantly doctors from reputed
national level institutions like AIIMS, Maulana Azad Medical College and RML
Hospital was constituted to implement the objective of making available
affordable medicines for all. Senior representatives of WHO were also invited
to the deliberations. The Task Force held extensive discussions and
unanimously decided to launch a jan aushadhi campaign starting with sale of
generic medicines through dedicated sale outlets in various districts of the
country. The program was envisaged to be launched, in associations with the
Central Pharma Public Sector Undertakings (CPSU) as part of their Corporate
Social Responsibilities agenda. The roles of various other stake holders,
including the state governments were defined for implementing the scheme in a
campaign mode.
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The
Jan Aushadhi Campaign would:
Make
quality the hallmark of medicine availability in the country, by ensuring, access
to quality medicines through the CPSU supplies and through GMP Compliant
manufacturers in the private sector.
Despite
constraints of budget in the Central and State governments, extend coverage
of quality generic medicines which would reduce and thereby redefine the unit
cost of treatment per person. For example branded Diclofenac tablets are
available at the average market rate of Rs 36.70* for a pack of 10 tablets.
Jan Aushadhi Stores would be sell this at Rs 3.10* which is less than 10% of
the market price of the branded category. Thus with the same cost 10 times
more persons could be treated with same efficacy and cure.
Develop
a model which can be replicated not only in India but also in other less
developed countries in their common goal of improving quality affordable
health care by improving access to quality medicines at affordable prices for
al.
Not
be just restricted to the Public Health System but be adopted with zeal and
conviction by the Private Sector and thereby spread its coverage to every
village of this country. The jan aushadhi campaign is open for all. Since
generic equivalents are available for all branded drugs, the campaign will
provide access to any prescription drug or Over The Counter (OTC) drug for
anybody. It will be as much available to the disadvantaged sections of the
society as much to the advantaged richer population segment of the country.
Create
awareness through education and publicity so that quality is not synonymous
with high price but less is more that is to say that, with a lesser price,
more medicines would be available, more patients would be treated and more
people will lead a healthier life.
Be
a public program involving State governments, the Central government, Public
Sector enterprises, private Sector, NGOs, Cooperative bodies and other
institutions.
Create
a demand for generic medicines By All for All by improving access to better
healthcare through low treatment costs and easy availability wherever needed
in All therapeutic categories.
.
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This
Jan Aushadhi Campaign has already started with the opening of the first Jan aushadhi
store at Amritsar on 25th November 2008 with the active participation of the
CPSUs namely, IDPL,HAL,BPCL,KAPL & RDPL. With the launch of the Jan
Aushadhi store at Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi, on 5th February, 2009, the
campaign is reaching an ambitious phase of launching of more than 45 stores
in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryaa,
Bihar, UP, Assam and Chattisgarh by March 2009. In fact, five Jan Aushadhi
drug stores are coming up in Punjab, one each at Bhatinda, Jalandhar,
Ludhiana, Patiala and Mohali in Februrary 2009 with additional stores opening
up at Panchkula and Faridabad in Haryana very shortly.
The
above efforts have met with god success as is clear from the media coverage:
.
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The
jan aushadhi initiative will make available quality drugs at affordable
prices through dedicated stores selling generic medicines which are available
at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive
branded drugs. Some comparative prices are:
Prices
in Rs.
(Feb,
2009)
The
Jan Aushadhi Campaign will accordingly:
Promote
greater awareness about cost effective drugs and their prescription.
Make
available unbranded quality generic medicines at affordable prices through
public-private partnership.
Encourage
doctors, more specifically in government hospital to prescribe generic
medicines.
Enable
substantial savings in health care more particularly in the case of poor
patients and those suffering from chronic ailments requiring long periods of
drug use.
.
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A
list of Unbranded Generic medicines, commonly used by patients for chronic
and other diseases, has been prepared. The National List of Essential
Medicines, 2003 (NLEM, 2003) has also been used for this purpose. This will
be considered as Common List (CL). Each State would be able to have an add-on
list called the State List (SL) based on the use of any specific medicine in
the area.
The
State Governments/NGOs/Charitable/cooperative/Government bodies will be
encouraged to establish jan aushadhi stores in Government hospital premises
or at other suitable location in all the Districts of all the States and
union Territories.
Under
the jan aushadhi campaign jan aushadhi stores will be opened in al the
districts in the country in phases. Accordingly, States have been identified
for opening of the jan aushadhi stores in the first phase along with the
proposed nodal organizations responsible for coordinating the activities.
After successful operationalisation of the program in these districts, other
districts in other States would be considered in subsequent phases.
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Bureau
of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI)
In
order to enable a focused and empowered structure to implement the above responsibilities,
a Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) has been established on the 1st
of December 2008 comprising all the Pharma CPSUs under the Department of
Pharmaceuticals. The Bureau will bring about effective collaboration and
cooperation in furthering the working and resources of these organizations.
More specifically it would:
Co-ordinate
marketing of the generic drugs through the jan aushadhi stores.
Co-ordinate
supply of medicines in the State from their own plants, other pharma PSUs of
Central & State Governments and Private Sector.
Coordinate
with Hospitals in preparation of formulary.
Monitor
proper running of jan aushadhi stores with the help of other CPSUs.
Provide
medicines as per rates decided in the joint Forum/Core Committee
Monitor
activities of the jan aushadhi stores in the areas allocated to them.
To
begin with the Bureau has started working as separate and independent
unincorporated entity from its office at IDPL , Gurgaon with an independent
administration, operation and accounting system for its receipts and
expenses. The Central Government would suitably assist the Bureau both
financially and technically till the Bureau sustains by itself through its
own operations. Other Central and State Pharma PSUs would also be given the opportunity
to join the Bureau. Based on experience gained and lessons learnt, the Bureau
may become a separate legal entity in the form of Common Association or a
Registered Society or a Holding Company or in any other suitable form in the
future.
|
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This
would be an important task to be undertaken by the Bureau Based on the list of
products to be marketed, a distribution system would be worked out for
supplying these medicines to the Jan Aushadhi Stores. Prices of these
medicines would be fixed taking into account the cost of manufacturing,
reasonable margin to cover other expenses like transportation, profit, retail
expenses, etc. The endeavour would be to keep the Maximum Retail Price (MRP)
of the generic medicines substantially lower than the MRP of other equivalent
medicines in the market.
Accordingly,
Expression of the interests have been invited from well-reputed charitable
bodies, consumer bodies, NGOs, Hospitals, etc. to run the Jan Aushadhi Stores
as well as for augmenting the supplies of generic medicines/ surgical items
from quality manufacturers subject to fulfillment of certain parameters.
There has been an encouraging response and the lists are being finalized by
the Bureau.
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The
central objective of the campaign is to make quality medicines available to
the consumers at affordable prices. Given the socio-economic conditions and the
level of ignorance and illiteracy with vast disparities of income in the
country, the advantage of the scheme can be taken by the consumers or could
reach the consumers particularly the poor and the needy, only when a good
multimedia publicity programmed is mounted to educate the consumers of all
strata of society. They multi media campaign would also address the myth that
low priced medicines are not good or efficacious and only the costly
medicines are good or superior.
since
every publicity programmed costs money and this being a national campaign,
initiated by the Central Government in the Department of Pharmaceuticals,
funds are required for publicity programmes and other promotional measures
including strengthening the Bureau of Pharma of PSUs of India and some
initial financial back up support wherever required to help the NGOs, etc
which are interested in running the Jan Aushadhi Stores. In view of the
above, a modest amount of Rs 5 crores has been sought to begin with from the
Planning Commission. Simultaneously, a Public Campaign for this purpose needs
to be undertaken by various stakeholders and the media on a voluntary basis.
|
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A
Core committee has been set up to coordinate the implementation of progress
with State Governments, Private sector and CPSUs. The Committee will:
Create
consumer awareness through multimedia publicity.
Prepare
a comprehensive scheme after the success of the pilot project, for all
districts of the country with a specific focus on the poor and disadvantaged
sections of the society. Part expenditure would be met by Central
Government/CPSUs in such a way that the three partners i.e. Central
Government, State Government and the Private sector contribute towards the
scheme either financially or in case of private sector by supplying medicines
at no-profit or nominal profit basis.
Periodically
review and evaluate the implementation of the scheme and carry out suitable
correction to further improve it bases on the experience gained.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It
is well known that due to market led consumer awareness and availability,
branded medicines are sold by drug manufacturers at higher prices than their
unbranded generic equivalents, which are as good in therapeutic value.
Therefore,
if generic medicines are made more accessible and available in the market,
everyone would benefit. Seizing this opportunity, the Pharma Advisory Forum
in its meeting held on 23rd April, 2008 under the Chairmanship of Shri Ram
Vilas Paswan, Hon'ble Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers and
Steel, Decided to launch a Jan Aushadhi Campaign. A key initiative under the
campaign would involve opening of jan aushadhi stores where, unbranded
quality generic medicines would be sold which are available at lower prices,
but are equivalent in potency to branded expensive drugs.
Accordingly,
a Task Force of senior officers of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, CEOs of
Pharma CPSUs, representatives of pharma industry, NGOs/charitable
organizations, State Governments, and most importantly doctors from reputed
national level institutions like AIIMS, Maulana Azad Medical College and RML
Hospital was constituted to implement the objective of making available
affordable medicines for all. Senior representatives of WHO were also invited
to the deliberations. The Task Force held extensive discussions and
unanimously decided to launch a jan aushadhi campaign starting with sale of
generic medicines through dedicated sale outlets in various districts of the
country. The program was envisaged to be launched, in associations with the
Central Pharma Public Sector Undertakings (CPSU) as part of their Corporate
Social Responsibilities agenda. The roles of various other stake holders,
including the state governments were defined for implementing the scheme in a
campaign mode.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Apart
from State Governments, The Jan Aushadhi' Stores may also be run b y
NGOs/Charitable/Co-operative/Government bodies, Red Cross, etc and hence
their role is important.
Recurring
expenses on maintenance and running of the stores outside the government
hospitals may have to be incurred by such bodies. For this purpose,
reasonable margins are built up in the MRP of Jan Aushadhi Drugs.
|
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The
private sector in the pharma industry is expected to make available unbranded
generic medicines and surgical products at cost plus nominal profit in
special pickings.
|
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A
Scientific study will be undertaken on a scientific basis for this purpose. A
national level body such as AIIMS or NIPER would undertake such a study and
publish their findings.
|
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Finally,
The Jan Aushadhi Campaign would be a self sustaining business model not
dependent on government subsidies or assistance. It would be run in a
Campaign Mission Mode on the principle of Not For Profits but with Minimal
Profits. It would in this sense incorporate the trusteeship principle of
business management espoused by no other than the father of the Nation,
Mahatma Gandhi. It would redefine the principles of drug prescription by
doctors, production by manufacturers and retail trade by pharmacy stores. It would
establish and emphasize the efficacy and potency of generic medicines such
that quality medicines will be affordable by all for a better quality of
life.
Lastly
it should provide an umbrella for All to join and thereby give to Themselves
a National Program for a National Cause for the Nation. Each will be able to
provide Each with better Health care and a healthy Life.
|
Thursday, 9 May 2013
http://janaushadhi.gov.in/
pack for skin protection in summer
Are you looking for some natural remedies to get rid of skin related
problems. Try out rose water as it helps in removing skin clogs and
blackheads or you can also opt for aloe vera pack for glowing skin.
Navin Sharma, head of research and Development at Cholayil Private Limited shares some useful tips that can help in attaining a "healthy" skin.
Pearl pack: It improves the skin texture, balances moisture and makes the skin glow. It helps reduce dark marks, pimples and acne. It can be used both in form of paste and powder. Pearl helps in minimising the large pores on the skin and therefore reduces redness.
Rose water pack: Wash your face regularly with rose water for softer skin. It effectively removes skin clogs, blackheads and reduces stickiness from the face. It helps clear all the impurities and dust. Rose oil contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Proper face massage with rose water will remove excess oil in the skin, keeping it evenly moisturised and exfoliated, thus restoring the lost pH balance and skin texture, preventing acne and pimples, removing the dirt that gets accumulated in the skin pores.
Neem pack: It is an ideal solution to all your summer-related skin problems. Neem benefits can be utilized the most during this season. Neem juice helps in purification of skin and blood. You can use facewashes that contain neem leaves as an ingredient.
Aloe Vera pack: It helps cure acne problems. It contains medicinal properties that help protect the skin's natural beauty. It also works as a moisturizer and provides oxygen to the body cells which strengthen the skin tissues and help to keep the skin healthy.
Navin Sharma, head of research and Development at Cholayil Private Limited shares some useful tips that can help in attaining a "healthy" skin.
Pearl pack: It improves the skin texture, balances moisture and makes the skin glow. It helps reduce dark marks, pimples and acne. It can be used both in form of paste and powder. Pearl helps in minimising the large pores on the skin and therefore reduces redness.
Rose water pack: Wash your face regularly with rose water for softer skin. It effectively removes skin clogs, blackheads and reduces stickiness from the face. It helps clear all the impurities and dust. Rose oil contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Proper face massage with rose water will remove excess oil in the skin, keeping it evenly moisturised and exfoliated, thus restoring the lost pH balance and skin texture, preventing acne and pimples, removing the dirt that gets accumulated in the skin pores.
Neem pack: It is an ideal solution to all your summer-related skin problems. Neem benefits can be utilized the most during this season. Neem juice helps in purification of skin and blood. You can use facewashes that contain neem leaves as an ingredient.
Aloe Vera pack: It helps cure acne problems. It contains medicinal properties that help protect the skin's natural beauty. It also works as a moisturizer and provides oxygen to the body cells which strengthen the skin tissues and help to keep the skin healthy.
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Narayana Murthy spending more time with Infosys top management: ET Now
READ MORE ON » software exporter | Narayana Murthy | IT Industry | IPSoft | infrastructure management | Infosys management | Infosys
RELATED VIDEO
According to these sources, in the last few months, Murthy has been spending more time with the Infosys top management, cracking the whip post its dismal performance in the last few quarters. He also attended the Infosys annual strategy meet called STRAP and is actively involved in formulating the company's strategy on the US Immigration issue.
"He questioned CEO Shibulal aggressively on the company's poor performance at the annual strategy meet. He has also expressed worry over the decline in meritocracy within the company. In terms of specific issues, he is involved in formulating the company's strategy on the whole US immigration issue," said one of the persons cited above.
A second source said, "He has started becoming very active of late and is really cracking the whip on poor performance."
While the top management has often felt the influence of Murthy, he had exercised it mostly as a person who is watching over the company from afar. But in the last few months, it has gotten a little more visible and tangible.
When asked about Mr Murthy's increased involvement in Infosys and his presence at the annual strategy meet, the company said in an e-mail statement, "As Chairman Emeritus, Murthy visits the Infosys campus in Bangalore when there are visitors to Infosys who want to meet him. Mr. Murthy was invited to inaugurate STRAP (annual strategy and action planning meet) 2013 and give a speech as the Chairman Emeritus. He did not participate in the rest of STRAP."
On whether he is specifically involved in crafting a strategy for Infosys on the US immigration bill, the spokesperson said, "When we need his advice on any specific issue we discuss that specific issue with him."
Sources ET NOW spoke to however ruled out any formal role for Murthy on the board again. "He doesn't need to have any formal platform to give advice to the company. He can do it in an advisory role," a source said. At the same time, the company said question on him getting an active role is "speculative in nature."
Murthy's active role in the company comes at a time when Infosys is struggling to match peers such as TCS and Cognizant in performance. In the last two years, the company went through a re-structuring exercise and also saw multiple exits at the senior level. Last month, its stock price tanked to a ten-year low after reporting a dismal set of results for the fourth quarter coupled with a weak guidance for the current fiscal. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/ites/narayana-murthy-spending-more-time-with-infosys-top-management-et-now/articleshow/19930554.cms
New sex 'superbug' may be more infectious than AIDS
RELATED
WASHINGTON: Doctors are warning of a new sexually-transmitted superbug which they fear could ultimately prove to be even more deadly than AIDS. The antibiotic-resistant strain of gonorrhoea - now considered a superbug - was discovered in Japan two years ago.
Experts have warned that the bacteria's effects could match those of AIDS.
"This might be a lot worse than AIDS in the short run because the bacteria is more aggressive and will affect more people quickly," said Alan Christianson, a doctor of naturopathic medicine.
Even though nearly 30 million people have died from AIDS related causes worldwide, Christianson believes the effect of the gonorrhoea bacteria is more direct, 'CNBC News' reported.
"Getting gonorrhoea from this strain might put someone into septic shock and death in a matter of days. This is very dangerous," Christianson said.
"It's an emergency situation. As time moves on, it's getting more hazardous," said William Smith, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors.
This gonorrhoea strain, HO41, was discovered in Japan two years ago in a 31-year-old female sex worker who had been screened in 2009.
Since it resists current antibiotic treatment, the strain has been placed in the superbug category with other resistant bacteria, such as MRSA and CRE.
These superbugs kill about half the people they attack, and nearly one in 20 hospital patients become infected with one, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Though no deaths from HO41 have been reported, efforts to combat it must continue, Smith said.
"We have to keep beating the drum on this. The potential for disaster is great," he said.
Experts have warned that the bacteria's effects could match those of AIDS.
"This might be a lot worse than AIDS in the short run because the bacteria is more aggressive and will affect more people quickly," said Alan Christianson, a doctor of naturopathic medicine.
Even though nearly 30 million people have died from AIDS related causes worldwide, Christianson believes the effect of the gonorrhoea bacteria is more direct, 'CNBC News' reported.
"Getting gonorrhoea from this strain might put someone into septic shock and death in a matter of days. This is very dangerous," Christianson said.
"It's an emergency situation. As time moves on, it's getting more hazardous," said William Smith, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors.
This gonorrhoea strain, HO41, was discovered in Japan two years ago in a 31-year-old female sex worker who had been screened in 2009.
Since it resists current antibiotic treatment, the strain has been placed in the superbug category with other resistant bacteria, such as MRSA and CRE.
These superbugs kill about half the people they attack, and nearly one in 20 hospital patients become infected with one, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Though no deaths from HO41 have been reported, efforts to combat it must continue, Smith said.
"We have to keep beating the drum on this. The potential for disaster is great," he said.
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