Eatala seeks overhaul of Jan Aushadhi network

Hyderabad: Malkajgiri MP Eatala Rajender highlighted systemic issues hindering the effective functioning of Jan Aushadhi Kendras, suggesting key structural measures to strengthen operations. Presenting before the Parliamentary Standing Committee in the national capital recently, the BJP parliamentarian urged urgent reforms to ensure an uninterrupted supply of quality medicines while maintaining financial viability for store operators.

Addressing supply chain bottlenecks, Rajender emphasized the necessity of timely payments to medical suppliers, noting that current settlement delays span three to five months. He proposed establishing a strict 30 to 45 day payment window alongside the immediate clearance of outstanding bills to bolster supplier confidence and facilitate smooth network operations.

Stressing the balance between affordability, quality, and accessibility, Rajender stated that every generic store must adhere to minimum stock standards. He called for dedicated mechanisms to maintain high-demand drugs, preventing stock-outs of essential medicines.

Calling quality assurance non-negotiable, he advocated stringent batch testing, random sampling, independent lab verification, and rapid grievance response systems for complaints. Furthermore, Rajender proposed expanding regional distribution centres and implementing track-and-trace systems for real-time monitoring to expedite drug deliveries.

Regarding specialized healthcare, Rajender urged the phase wise integration of cancer care medicines into the generic network to provide affordable alternatives for rare, costly treatments through dedicated procurement.

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The Hans India