Now, sanitary pads for Rs 1 at Jan Aushadhis

NEW DELHI: With an aim to ensure women’s hygiene, the government has slashed price of sanitary napkins sold at Jan Aushadhi stores to just Re 1 per piece from Rs 2.50. The biodegradable napkins - available in a pack of four - will be sold at a subsidized price under the brand 'Suvidha' at 5,500 such stores across the country.
The move assumes significance as many women, especially in rural areas, still use pieces of cloth and rags during their menstruation period.Unaffordability of sanitary napkins is often the primary reason for this, though lack of awareness is also seen as a problem.
Use of cloth and other unhygienic means, not only leads to a range of diseases among women, mainly adolescents but also results in a significant school drop out.
In rural India, 23 per cent of girls listed menstruation as the chief reason for dropping out of school. As many as 28 per cent of them said they do not go to school during their period because they lack clean and affordable protection, according to figures collated by Rutgers, an organisation for sexual and reproductive health and rights.
According to the fourth round of National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2015-16, sanitary napkin usage in rural India is only 48.2 per cent.
Making sanitary napkins affordable is also on the 100 days agenda of the government. On August 25, TOI reported the government is also forming a national list of essential hygiene products which will include sanitary napkins along with other women hygiene products. The list is also likely to form the basis for bringing these products under price control as well as make them available for free at primary health centres.
Official estimates shows around 2.2 crore sanitary napkins have been sold from the Jan Aushadhi Kendras in last one year.
“With reduction in the prices, we expect the sales to jump over two times. We are focusing on quality, affordability and accessibility,” minister of state for chemicals and fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya said.
The government also launched Jan Aushadhi Sugam Mobile App for locating Jan Aushadhi stores along with details of generic medicines available in these stores.
Through this app, people can avail a host of user-friendly options like locating nearby Jan Aushadhi Kendra, search Janaushadhi generic medicines, analyse product comparison of generic vs branded medicine in form of maximum retail price (MRP) and overall savings.