Guwahati: A pharmacy stocking generic medicines, which costs just 10 per cent of branded drugs, has opened at Wintrobe Hospital here under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Yojana.

For instance, antacid Pan D costs Rs 156 for 10 capsules but the generic Pantoprazole costs only Rs 18.48 for 10 tablets.

Dr Tridip Baruah of the hospital said, "The cost of healthcare has shot up. In order to provide medicines at affordable cost, a chain of pharmacies called Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra have been set up across the country, which are run by the department of pharmaceuticals under the ministry of fertilisers and chemicals. We acquired the licence two months ago. All generic medicines will be available here."