With the Planning Commission turning down the proposal for the introduction of the Rajiv Gandhi Aushadhi Yojana (RGAY), a pet scheme by Chemicals Minister M K Azhagiri to provide unbranded generic medicines free of cost to BPL families, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) is likely to take it up afresh for the approval of the panel.

The move is being made after the Department came in for criticism by the Parliamentary Panel attached to the Chemicals and Fertilizers Ministry. The DoP is planning to put it up again with strong clauses in support of the scheme that would benefit the BPL families greatly besides helping the small scale pharma sector, the main suppliers of unbranded generic drugs, sources said reacting to the report of the Parliamentary committee.

The Committee had noted that the Department planned a new scheme, viz. the Rajiv Gandhi Aushadhi Yojana for providing unbranded generic medicines free of cost to BPL families which envisages sharing of costs in the ratio of 70:30 between the Centre and the States. As the scheme was being implemented in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu only the Committee had expressed the hope that by making sincere efforts the scheme will be extended to all the States/UTs of the country in a time-bound manner. However, the Department in their reply has stated that Planning Commission has not supported the proposal of the Department of Pharmaceuticals for Rajiv Gandhi Aushadhi Yojana and consequently no further progress could be made in the matter, a recent report of the Parliamentary panel said.

"The Committee feel concerned over the insensitivity of the Planning Commission for not giving their in-principle approval to the Rajiv Gandhi Aushadhi Yojana meant only for have-nots/deprived lots of the masses, i.e., the BPL families. The Committee also take a serious view of the lack of proactive approach by the Department in voicing their concern over the rejection of the newly planned scheme by the Planning Commission. The Committee would like to be apprised of the reasons advanced by the Planning Commission for not supporting the proposal of the Department," the report said.

After making such scathing comments, the committee had asked the DoP to again approach the Planning Commission with renewed vigour for extension of this scheme in other States/Union Territories by making necessary adjustments/changes, if required, and apprise them about the outcome of their fresh efforts at the earliest.