Srinagar, Feb 19 (KNO): Health Minister Sakina Itoo on Thursday said that the Health and Medical Education Department is actively promoting the prescription of generic medicines across healthcare institutions in line with national regulations.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Javaid Bedar, the Minister, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) stated that the government is ensuring strict adherence to norms laid down under the Indian Medical Council Regulations 2002 and the National Medical Commission Act 2019.
She said that medical professionals are being regularly sensitized through administrative instructions and institutional monitoring mechanisms to prescribe medicines by their generic names.
The Minister further informed that no violations related to non-compliance with generic prescription norms have been reported during the financial year 2024–25. “Prescription audits are being conducted on a quarterly basis to ensure adherence to the guidelines,” she added.
Itoo said that the AMRIT scheme (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) has been operational in Jammu and Kashmir since 2023 and is functioning in accordance with prescribed regulations.
She added that Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana has been widely implemented across the Union Territory. Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been established in all district hospitals and are functioning effectively to provide quality medicines and surgical items at affordable rates.
“As on date, a total of 307 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are operational across Jammu and Kashmir,” the Minister said, adding that the government has proactively adopted the flagship programme to extend benefits of low-cost medicines to the general public at a larger scale.
The initiative, she emphasized, is aimed at reducing out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare while ensuring availability of quality medicines across the Union Territory—(KNO)