PRADHAN MANTRI BHARTIYA JANAUSHADHI PARIYOJANA (PMBJP)

NEWS: the government has set a target to open 25000 Janaushadi Kendras across the country by March 2026.

BACKGROUND:  Despite being the leading exporter of generic medicines to the world, affordable medicines are still beyond the reach of most patients in India. Analysis of the National Sample Survey data showed that in one year, more than 55 million Indians became poor only because they had to spend their own money to purchase medicines. The Jan Aushadhi Scheme launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India in November 2008 is an ambitious step to make quality generic drugs affordable to the common man of the country. Now, the ‘Jan Aushadhi Scheme’ has been revisited and renamed as ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana’ (PMBJP).

Objectives of the Scheme:

1. To make available quality medicines consumables and surgical items at affordable prices for all and thereby reduce out of pocket expenditure of consumers/patients.

2. To popularize generic medicines among the masses and dispel the prevalent notion that low priced generic medicines are of inferior quality or are less effective.

3. Generate employment by engaging individual entrepreneurs in the opening of PMBJP Kendras.

SALIENT FEATURES:

• • Incentive: 5 lakh @ 15% of monthly purchase made, subject to ceiling of 15000 per month and special one time incentive of upto Rs.2 lakh for women, SC/ST, Hill district, Island district and North-Eastern states.
    • The prices of Jan Aushadi medicines are 50%-90% less than the prices of branded medicines in open market.
    • Medicines are procured only from World Health Organisation – Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers to ensure quality of products.
    • The drugs are tested at laboratories accredited by National Accrediation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratries (NABL).
  • Implementing agency: The Scheme is being implemented through Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertaking of India (BPPI) now renamed as Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI). It is an independent society, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
  • Janaushadhi Sugam: A mobile application “Janaushadhi Sugam” has been also launched for facilitating the general public by providing a digital platform at the tip of their fingers, by the virtue of which they can avail a host of user-friendly options like – locate nearby PMBJK (direction guided through Google Maps), search janaushadhi medicines, analyze product comparison of Generic vs Branded medicine in the form of MRP & overall Savings, etc.
  • Janaushadi Suvidha Sanitary Napkin: It is oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins launched under the PMBJP. It will ensure ‘Swachhta, Swasthya and Suvidha’ for underprivileged women.
  • Janaushadi Diwas is celebrated every year to bring awareness about generic medecines. The theme for Janaushadi week 2024 is‘Jan Aushadhi – Sasti Bhi Acchi Bhi.’

ACHIEVEMENTS:

• • PMBJP has created landmark in the history of generic medicines in the country by selling medicines worth Rs. 1000 Crore IN 2023.
  • The people of country have saved approximately 5000 crores by purchasing medicines from Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Thus reducing out of pocket expenditure.
  • It has resulted in employment generation by engaging individual The sales have gone upto Rs. 1.5 lacs per centre. Thus, the scheme is doing justice to its tagline “Jan Aushadi – Seva bhi, Rozgaar bhi”.
  • There has been more than 100 times growth in number of Kendras from only 80 in 2014 to more than 10607 Kendras covering almost all the districts of the country.
  • The product basket under PMBJP has expanded comprising 1963 medicines and 293 surgical devices covering all major therapeutic groups such as Cardiovascular, Anti-cancers, Anit-diabetics, Anti-infectives, Anti-allergic, Gastro-intestinal medicines, Nutraceuticals, etc.

ISSUES:

• • Lack of awareness about scheme in some regions like Andaman & Nicobar.
  • Wrong perception about the quality of generic drugs.
  • Lack of availability of generic drugs in Pharmacy.
  • Lack of proper awareness about the formulations of generic drugs in the general population.

WAY FORWARD:

• • Proactive approach by the healthcare workers and authorities is needed to disseminate the scheme-related facts, dispel the myths regarding generics, and accept the program wholeheartedly by the common man.
  • The availability of scientific data on the experience and attitude of consumers of generic medicines through Jan Aushadhi outlets is crucial for better policy implementation.

CONCLUSION:

The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana is a game-changer in India’s healthcare landscape. It empowers individuals to make informed choices about their health and well-being, at the same time reducing financial burden of medical expenses. Affordable, accessible and acceptable drugs are every citizen’s right. Thus, it paves the way for a healthier and more secure future for countless families across the nation.