With a view to overhaul the present system of running the Jan Aushadhi campaign, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) is conducting a third party evaluation, even as steps are on to open more generic outlets in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The Department has engaged Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) to conduct a third party evaluation of the on-going Jan Aushadhi campaign and submit its report/recommendation at the earliest so as to enable the department to implement the campaign in a more effective manner, sources said.

As of now, there are 121 Jan Aushadhi stores in 11 states including UTs of Chandigarh. Based on the request from the West Bengal government, the matter is in the process of sending funds to them for opening of 20 new JASs in the state in addition to the three already existing there.

Request had also been received from the government of Uttar Pradesh to open JASs in the state, for which meeting with the state government officers will be held shortly to finalize the modalities in this regard.

“Simultaneously, the matter is also actively being pursued with other states to open Jan Aushadhi stores. Although, request has been sent to such states earlier also, fresh reminders are being issued now, which will be followed by personal meetings with the concerned officers to impress upon them to open Jan Aushadhi stores in their respective states,” according to an official of the Department.

Recently, a meeting was held with senior officials of Tamil Nadu government with regard to their proposal to sell generic unbranded medicines through 191 pharmacies run by Triplicane Urban Cooperative Society Kamadhenu, a society recognized by the Ministry of Cooperation, Food & Consumer Affairs. The final details in this connection are being worked out with regard to this proposal and it is expected that this is likely to be finalized in the next couple of months.