Making a call to all the pharmacists and pharmaceutical manufacturers, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday said that they should come forward to set up industries related to medicine and herbal medicine in the state.

Addressing the conference organized by Indian Pharmacist Association, Chhattisgarh on the occasion of World Pharmacist Day at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium, Raipur, Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh has abundance of herbal medicines with 44 percent of the forest land area different types of medicinal plants are found.

He said utilising the opportunity, the individuals or groups, whether from the state or outside, wanting to set up the pharmaceutical industry, the government will provide them with all the necessary resources, facilities and exemptions.

“The raw material would be provided to the ‘Vanaushadhi’ units to be set up at the rates fixed by the State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation. The AYUSH and Health Department can directly buy locally produced medicines without any tender’’, he added. He also emphasised on promoting generic medicine.

Appreciating the doctors, pharmacists and other medical staff for their exemplary work during the Covid-19 pandemic waves, Health Minister T. S. Singh Deo said Chhattisgarh is emerging as a ‘model state’ in the country due to innovations and new initiatives. He said the government has started recruiting 187 pharmacists.

The ‘Pharmacist Book’ was also released by the Chief Minister and other guests.