Gurgaon (Haryana), Feb. 20 : Steel, Chemicals and Fertilizers MInister Ram Vilas Paswan on Friday announced plans to set up 40 generic drug stores under the brand Jan Aushadhi by the end of March this year.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone of a new block of the public sector Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL) to manufacture `Cephalosporin' in Gurgaon today, Paswan said the government is trying its best to provide affordable health services to everybody.

He also said that when the new pharmaceutical policy is approved, price of at least 354 drugs would be reduced.

He said the new drug stores would dispense generic drugs at a fraction of the price of branded drugs in the market, and added that they would remain open round the clock.

He said these stores are being set up with the help of State Governments and NGOs.

IDPL''s new Cephalosporin Block shall be constructed over an area of five acres, producing latest Cephalosporins initially in tablet dosage form.

The block would be "State of Art" and energy efficient using solar energy for lighting.

The total estimated Project cost for the first phase is Rs. 13 crore. Additional manpower requirement for operating the plant would be about 150. In the second phase facilities for Cephalosporin Injectibles, Dry syrups and other formulation will be created.

IDPL also signed MoU with the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) on the occasion for transfer of technology for manufacture of Zinc Dispersible Tablets used for treatment of diarrhorea. This technology has been provided free of cost to IDPL.

On the occasion four new products were launched by Paswan -- IDIFIZ, a digestive enzyme; MISMIS, an emergency contraceptive pill; PROXY, a sugar substitute containing Aspartame; and IDICON, an oral antifungal agent.

The new IDPL logo was also launched by Paswan. (ANI)