At least 100 hospitals in Assam will soon have 'generic centres' that will help poor people buy medicines costing 25-30 percent less compared to allopathic medicines, union minister Ananth Kumar announced here on Saturday.The chemicals and fertilisers minister said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed with the Assam government in June in this regard."The generic centres will make available medicine to the poorer section of the society at prices less than 25 to 30 percent in comparison to allopathic medicine. It will help fight lifestyle diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, cardio-vascular, HIV and AIDS," he said.The minister was here to lay the foundation stone of the permanent campus of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER).
Appreciating the rich biodiversity of Assam, Ananth Kumar said the state could become the cradle of ayurveda like Kerala.He said NIPER-Guwahati would turn out to be the best institute in India on the same lines as the one in Mohali, Punjab. There are seven NIPERs in the country.Ananth Kumar thanked Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for his initiative in allotting 89 acres of land for the permanent campus in Changsari area.He said the first phase of construction - estimated to cost Rs.160 crore - would start immediately and that the total project cost would be around Rs.550 crore."NIPER-Guwahati will soon emerge as the pharmaceutical hub of the northeast region. It will also become a hub for integrated medicine ensuring holistic care and treatment," he added.