The proposed site of the medical store at sadar hospital in Ranchi

Finally, needy patients can heave a sigh of relief.

Jan Aushadhi Kendra, an air-conditioned medical store that will provide drugs at half the market prices to people, will open at Ranchi sadar hospital soon after Dussehra.

The ministry of health and family welfare has allocated funds to the tune of Rs 1.5 lakh for the purpose.

“We have already got the drug license. The tax sales formalities have also been completed. Tenders to procure medicines have also been floated,” Ranchi civil surgeon A.K. Choudhary told The Telegraph.

He added that while the construction was almost over, the shelves to stock the medicines were yet to be completed.

“The store is expected to be inaugurated anytime after Dussehra,” the civil surgeon said.

The medical store, which will be open from 9am to 9pm, will be launched as a pilot project in Ranchi sadar hospital. Depending on its success, a decision will be taken on opening similar shops at all sadar hospitals of the state.

The fully air-conditioned store will also have computers for data entry and refrigerators to stock drugs. A pharmacist and a medical assistant will man the store.

“Their work will include providing drugs prescribed by doctors. If the store gets a good response, we may also keep it open at night for the benefit of the poor,” said the civil surgeon.

He added that once the store becomes functional 24x7, one additional pharmacist would be engaged to cater to the needs of customers.

“We have seen that many poor patients are unable to purchase high-priced drugs as prescribed by the doctors. Hopefully, the new drug store will solve their problems,” Choudhary said.

Similar Jan Aushadhi Kendras are functioning in Punjab, Rajasthan and Orissa among other states.