No change in drug price at Jan Aushadhi outlets but many medicines remain unavailable
Thrissur: Jan Aushadhi shops in the state becomes a relief when costs of medicines skyrocket. However, the unavailability of Jan Aushadhi shops in many regions and shortage of necessary drugs in the outlets remain a disadvantage.
As per the official data, 977 Jan Aushadhi outlets have been set up in Kerala under the Central government’s project. With 143 shops, Thrissur district comes first in figures. Over a hundred shops are functioning in Ernakulam and Malappuram. 1451 varieties of medicines and 240 surgical equipment will be available through these centres.
The medicines available at Jan Aushadhi centres are priced very cheap compared to the branded medicines. But the drugs like Transtuzumab and bypass stents, which saw a sudden surge in price among the essential drugs, are not available in Jan Aushadhi shops.
Most of the medicines for lifestyle diseases are being sold here.
Cost of major drugs
| Drugs | Category | Market Price (in rupees-exempting GST) | Cost at Jan Aushadhi shops (in rupees) |
| Paracetamol 650 mg | Painkiller | 2.04 | 80 paise |
| Amoxillin 500 mg | Antibiotics | 7.17 | 3.30 |
| Azithromycin 500 mg | Antibiotics | 18.41 | 14 |
| Glimepride 1 mg | Diabetes | 3.99 | 40 paise |
| Metformin 1000 mg | Diabetes | 4.06 | 1.10 |
| Temisartan 80 mg | Blood Pressure | 11.16 | 2.20 |
| Atorvastatin 40 mg | Cholestrol | 21.42 | 2 |
| Omeprazole 40 mg | Gastro | 9.25 | 90 paise |
| Insulin injection | Diabetes | 16.71 | 7.10 |
| Fluconazole 100 mg | Fungal | 28.06 | 5 |