The Department of Pharmaceuticals has drawn up a scheme to set up generic drug stores in each district of the country to ensure affordable medicines to the poor sections of the society. The department has prepared the draft of the scheme, which is also likely to give boost to the manufacturers of unbranded generic drugs, and it is launching consultations with the industry including suppliers.

The department has called a meeting with industry associations to discuss the draft scheme on September 12. The meeting will suggest the modalities to facilitate the sales of unbranded generic medicines in different districts and government hospitals primarily for the poor people, sources said.

The Government will facilitate opening of generic drugs stores, initially one in each district through NGOs, charitable bodies, Red Cross and hospitals which are willing to work on 'not-for-profit' basis. Apart from generic drugs from public sector pharma undertakings, the stores will also supply generic drugs manufactured by private companies, it is learnt.

The Department is holding the meeting to take suggestions and views of different stakeholders on the draft paper so that scheme of special retail outlets for sale of unbranded generic medicines could be made operational at the earliest. The 4th meeting of the Pharma Advisory Forum a few months back had reached a consensus on the proposal, prompting the department to chalk out the modalities.

The state governments will be asked to issue directions to the doctors in government hospitals to prescribe unbranded-generic medicines wherever these are made available as large number of people in the financially weaker sections cannot afford the branded products, sources said.

The government will be seeking the support of the industry, especially the manufacturers of generic drugs for production of essential medicines that would be sold through these planned stores. Besides, the government would also consult chemist associations and NGOs to take their suggestions.

After the consultation process is over, the programme may be unfolded in different phases. In the pilot project, it would help set up stores in 15 States, by providing land and infrastructure to the desired group, to the tune of upto Rs 3 lakh, it is learnt.