The government on Thursday launched biodegradable sanitary napkins, priced at ₹2.50 per pad, which will be available at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendras.
The sanitary napkins will be available in a pack of four pads for ₹10 across over 3,200 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Kendras by May 28, 2018, Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Ananth Kumar said on March 8.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers is introducing sanitary napkins under the name ‘Suvidha’, he added.
At a time when average market price of four sanitary napkins is around ₹32, the government has launched these oxo-biodegradable pads priced at ₹10 for four pads for health security of women, specially for those who are under privileged and are in rural areas, Mr. Kumar said.
While other sanitary napkins available in markets are non-biodegradable, these are biodegradable, he added.
The launch is in line with the aim of the Prime Minister to make quality drugs available at affordable prices to common people, Mr. Kumar said.
According to the National Family Health Survey 2015-16, about 58% of women aged between 15 to 24 years use locally prepared napkins, sanitary napkins and tampons, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers said in a statement.
