Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda launched a mobile application “Janaushadhi Sugam” and had announced that “Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin” will now be available at only One Rupee per pad. Minister of State for Shipping (IC) and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya also graced thelaunch event held here today.

Making the announcement on the Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins, Shri Gowda said that the assurance by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on this aspect about a year ago has been fulfilled now. He said that the “Janaushadhi Sugam” will enable people to search Janaushadhi generic medicines and the stores at the tip of their fingers.

The Minister of State Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya said that it is that about 28 million girls are reported to be leaving education because of lack of availability of good quality Sanitary Napkin” pads at reasonable cost. He said, Department of Pharmaceuticals is determined to provide affordable healthcare to all Indians through ever-increasing network of PMBJP Kendras across countryand this had already led to substantial savings to poor on medicines.

The Government of India launched “Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin” at Rs 2.50 per pad on the eve of the World Environment Day 4^thJune 2018. Jan Aushadhi Suvidha comes with a special additive, which makes it biodegradable when it comes in contact with oxygen after being discarded. Till 31^st July 2019, over 1.30 crore pads were sold at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.

In order to make these sanitary pads more affordable and accessible to the women of India, Government of India has now decided to make these pads available at rate of only Rs 1.00/- per pad as promised by the Prime Minister before the ‘Lok Sabha Election-2019’.

This is an important step in ensuring the health security forthe section of Indian women who still use unhygienic aids during menstrual period due to non-affordability of sanitary pads available in themarket. This will ensure ‘Swachhta, Swasthya and Suvidha’ for the underprivileged women of the country. This step taken by the Department of Pharmaceuticals will ensure the achievement of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Affordable and Quality Healthcare” for all. It will also help in fulfilling the Prime Minister’s dream of “Clean India & Green India” as these pads are oxo-biodegradable and environment friendly. Jan Aushadhi Suvidha is beingmade available for sale in more than 5500 PMBJP Kendras across the country.

“Janaushadhi Sugam” mobile application would have user-friendly options like- to locate nearby Janaushadhikendra, direction guidance for location of the Janaushadhikendra through Google Map, search Janaushadhi generic medicines, analyse product comparison of Generic vs Branded medicine in form of MRP & overall Savings, etc. The mobile application is available on both Android & iOS platforms. It can be downloaded free of cost by the user from Google Play Store and Apple Store.

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KSP