Mangala Prasad Mohanty is on an overdrive to provide generic medicines to people which is lower than ten per cent of the market price. 

Secretary of the Indian Red Cross Society State branch is moving decisively to help out the hapless patients, those who are not able to avail the branded medicine from the market place. 

Thanks to the initiate of Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizer, which has come to the rescue of lakhs of people by facilitating the provisions of generic medicines at an affordable prices for all. 

Srikant Jena, Union Minister Chemicals and Fertilizer has bigger plans for the State. 

And with the support of Red Cross, Jan Aushadhi stores will be opened at least at all the 30 districts headquarters soon, revealed Mr.Jena. 

Mr. Jena said it is well known that branded medicines are sold at higher prices then there unbranded generic equivalent which is good in therapeutic value. 

He said, both the Central and the State Government have decided to extent coverage of generic medicines to reduce the unit cost of treatment per person. 

Citing an example he said that branded Diclofenac tablets are being sold Rs 37 for a pack of ten in the general medicine stores, where as it will be available in Jan Aushadhi stores Rs.3.10 for the same. 

This will be beneficial for the poor in general and needy in particular, felt Mr.Jena. 

On 6 March, Mr. Jena inaugurated the first Jan Aushadhi store at Capital Hospital and later he also opened another store at Red Cross Bhawan here. 

The third one will be inaugurated at district headquarters hospital, Khurda today. 

Prasana Acharya, Minister Health and Family Welfare graced the occasion while Prasana Patsani, MP lauded the initiative. 

Later talking to media men, Mr. Acharya said the State Government will purchase generic medicines and it will be provided through the Government Hospitals. 

Anu Garg, Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Welfare went further ahead by saying that the State Government will issue advisory to the physicians to prescribe the generic medicines for benefit of common man.