Railways' multipurpose stalls to sell low cost medicines at stations

Railways' multi-purpose stalls (MPS) at stations could soon stock generic low-cost medicines, the Railway Board has decided, the government informed Parliament today.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain said at present, three chemist stalls are operational - all of them in Mumbai - one each at Churchgate, Mumbai Central and Andheri Railway stations.

"Railway Board has decided that a policy provision will be made that existing Multi Purpose Stalls (MPS) at railway stations may be authorized to stock generic low-cost medicines also in accordance with the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) the scheme," he said.

Gohain said that under the existing Multi-Purpose Stall (MPS) policy, in order to have single outlet/stall at platforms for non-catering items required during travelling, it has been decided such stalls wherein items permitted for sale are miscellaneous items, books/magazines/newspaper, chemist stall items-OTC (over the counter) medicines and non-pharmacy items viz.dry/spray milk powder and other such items.

In the MPS policy, retailers/individuals/ self-help groups (SHGs)/registered sole

proprietorship firms or a partnership firm/company, incorporated under Partnership Act 1932/ Companies Act 1956 amended from time to time are eligible to participate in the bidding process, he said.

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