On the occasion of Ratan Tata’s 87th birthday, Generic Aadhaar took a meaningful step by providing free cancer medications to 87 patients across various regions of India. This initiative comes as a part of the company’s mission and reflects the values instilled by Tata, who invested in this pharmaceutical retail startup four years ago, founded by the then 18-year-old Arjun Deshpande.
Deshpande shared that Tata encouraged him to prioritize oncology medicines, a suggestion that has significantly influenced the direction of the venture. To honor Tata’s birthday, Generic Aadhaar committed to delivering cancer medications for life to the selected patients, provided their prescriptions remain unchanged. Additionally, the company announced plans to support newly diagnosed cancer patients by offering medications at cost price, eliminating any profit margins.
Arjun Deshpande, who is both the founder and CEO of Generic Aadhaar, expressed his gratitude for Tata’s mentorship, stating, “Having Ratan Tata guide me has been an invaluable part of my journey. Distributing free cancer medicines to 87 patients on his 87th birthday serves as our tribute to his legacy and as a reaffirmation of our dedication to making healthcare affordable for everyone.”
The initiative benefited patients from various states, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Assam, and West Bengal. The free medications distributed included erlotinib, paclitaxel, carboplatin, cisplatin, and lenalidomide, among others, according to a company spokesperson.