Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) (transl. Prime Minister Indian Public Medicine Scheme) is a campaign–public welfare scheme of Government of India. It was launched by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through special kendras known as Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendra (PMBJK).

Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
Agency overview
FormedNovember 2008; 16 years ago (2008-11)
HeadquartersNew Delhi, India
Parent departmentDepartment of Pharmaceuticals
Websitewww.janaushadhi.gov.in/index.aspx

The scheme's centres have been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent to more expensive branded drugs in both quality and efficacy. The Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India (BPPI) has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs for co-ordinating procurement, supply and marketing of generic drugs through the centres.[1]

The scheme was initially launched by the government in 2008; and relaunched by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi in 2015. The campaign was undertaken through sale of generic medicines through exclusive outlets namely Jan Aushadhi Medical Store in various districts of the country. In September 2015, the 'Jan Aushadhi Scheme' (transl. Public medicine scheme) was revamped as 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana' (PMJAY). In November 2016, to give further impetus to the scheme, it was again renamed as "Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana" (PMBJP).[2]

Timeline

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Year Number of Shops Annual Sales
2008[3] 199 Launched
2014 240 3 CR
2015–16 Re-Launched
2015–16 240 12 CR
2016–17 960 33 CR
2017–18 3193 140 CR
2018–19 5056 315 CR
2019–20 6306 433 CR
2020–21 7557 665.83 CR
2021–22 8640[4] 893.56 CR[5]
2022–23 9188 1094.84 CR[5]

Suvidha Sanitary Napkins

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In 2018, the "Janaushadhi Suvidha Oxy-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin" was launched. They are available for sale at ₹1 at all PMBJP Kendras across the country. To date, 19 crore napkins have been sold.[4]

Benefits

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The Jan Aushadhi initiative makes quality drugs available at affordable prices through dedicated stores. These stores sell generic medicines, available at lower prices, but equivalent to their branded counterparts in quality and efficacy. However, poor procurement procedures have led to many drugs being unavailable at multiple stores.[citation needed] Some comparative prices (as of September 2013) are: [6]

Name of Salt Dosage Pack Jan Aushadhi Price Market Price in ₹
Tab. Ciprofloxacin 250 mg 10 8 54.79
Tab. Ciprofloxacin 500 mg 10 17 125.00
Tab. Diclofenac 100 mg 10 6.12 60.40
Tab. Cetrizine 10 mg 10 2.75 20.00
Tab. Paracetamol 500 mg 10 3.03 09.40
Tab Nimesulide 100 mg 10 4.10 39.67
Cough Syrup 110 ml Liquid 18 33.00

Salient Features

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The Scheme is operated by both government agencies and private entrepreneurs.[7]

1. The incentive provided to the Kendra owners has been enhanced from existing ₹2.50 lakh to up to ₹5.00 lakh to be given at 15% of monthly purchases made, subject to a ceiling of ₹15,000/- per month.

2. One-time incentive of ₹2.00 lakh is to be provided for furniture,fixtures, computers and printers to the PMBJP Kendras opened in North-Eastern states, Himalayan areas, island territories and backward areas mentioned as aspirational district by NITI Aayog or opened by women entrepreneur, disabled people, SCs, STs, and ex-servicemen.

3. Prices of the Jan Aushadhi medicines are 50-90% less than that of branded medicines prices in the open market.

4. Medicines are procured only from World Health Organization – Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers to ensure the quality of the products.

5. Each batch of drugs is tested at laboratories accredited by 'National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)'.

6. Jan Aushadhi Store (JAS) can be opened by State Governments, reputed NGOs, trusts, private hospitals, charitable institutions, doctors, unemployed pharmacists or individual entrepreneurs by submitting an application. The applicants have to employ one B Pharma/D Pharma degree holder as the pharmacist in their proposed store.

7. Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India (BPPSU) has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs for co-coordinating procurement, supply and marketing of generic drugs through the Jan Aushadhi Stores.

8. Over-the-counter (OTC) products can not be purchased by any individual without a prescription. A prescription from a registered medical practitioner is necessary for the purchase of scheduled drugs.

9. All therapeutic medicines and surgicals are made available at Jan Aushadhi Stores.

References

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  1. ^ "Jan Aushadhi : An Initiative of Government of India | Generic Medicine Campaign Improving Access to Medicines". janaushadhi.gov.in. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Jan Aushadhi: How PM Narendra Modi put new life in an ailing UPA scheme". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Jan Aushadhi's mega success gave Mandaviya's CV a boost before promotion to health minister". 8 July 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Annual Report 2021-22" (PDF). janaushadhi.gov.in. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b Sharma, Priyanka (1 March 2023). "Janaushadhi sales crosses Rs1,094 crore". mint. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Jan Aushadhi : An Initiative of Government of India | Generic Medicine Campaign Improving Access to Medicines". janaushadhi.gov.in. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India". janaushadhi.gov.in. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
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