Overview

• The Karnataka government’s directive affects 207 in-hospital Jan Aushadhi Kendras and rejects approval for 31 pending outlets.
• Officials say all essential medicines will now be provided free of charge at public hospital pharmacies under the state’s medicine distribution policy.
• BJP city unit president L. Nagendra and activists demonstrated outside K.R. Hospital in Mysuru, calling the move anti-poor and politically motivated.
• Protesters accused the government of yielding to a 'pharmaceutical mafia' and warned that gaps in hospital stocks will force patients to buy generics at higher private rates.
• Police detained multiple BJP leaders during the May 30 protests, escalating the political confrontation between the opposition and the Congress-led state administration.