With the vision of providing quality Generic-Medicines to all citizens of the country, several regular and fiscal measures have been taken time to time by the government. With government’s constant efforts and people’s unbreakable trust, has transformed Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) from a concept to reality, with a chain of over 5600 Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
India is the largest supplier of generic drugs in the world, and Indian pharmaceutical companies have been trying to push down the cost of medication in many countries across the world. To ensure every Indian has access to quality healthcare at affordable prices, an initiative with the name of Jan Aushadhi Scheme was being implemented through Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) which is a society set up by five pharma PSUs and works under Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India.,/p>
Though ‘Jan Aushadhi Scheme’ was launched by Department of Pharmaceuticals in November 2008 across the country, the scheme didn’t take off and by 2014, only 80 stores were functioning.
In 2015, committee of secretaries was set up by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi to look into the health related issues which had recommended that “Jan Aushadhi Kendra” should be expanded and the budget of 2015-16, announced a target of 3000 kendras.
For achieving the target of 3000 stores, scheme was revamped. A franchise like model was adopted and an intensive media campaign in national and regional newspapers inviting individual entrepreneurs to apply for establishing and running PMBJP kendra was undertaken. In response, the applications received were scrutinized and eligible applicants were assisted with drug license and other infrastructure facilities to open the kendras. By December 2016, target of 3000 stores was achieved and the name of the scheme renamed as “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana” (PMBJP). In September 2019 more than 5600 PMBJP Kendra were functional across the country.
“I have monthly income of 12,000. I had to spend 8000 to 10,000 per month for my son’s health, but with PMBJP I get those medicines at 1000-1200. Now, I save 8000 to 9000 per month and can provide regular medicines to my son” shared Karni Singh Rathod, a beneficiary from Bikaner, Rajasthan.
Objectives of PMBJP
- Ensure access to quality medicines for all sections of population especially for the poor and the deprived ones.
- Create awareness about generic medicines through education and publicity to counter the perception that quality is synonymous with high price only.
- Generate employment by engaging individual entrepreneurs in opening of Jan Aushadhi Kendra.
Milestones Achieved
- As on 30th Sept, 2019, 5624 Jan Aushadhi Kendra are functional across the nation.
- 1000 medicines and 154 surgical and consumables available in the basket for sale through.
- Central Warehouse is established as per WHO guidelines for ensuring better quality storage and logistics services.
- 3 regional warehouses have been established.
- A distribution network of 8 Chemicals & Fertilizers agents and 57 distributors spread over different states is functional.
- Implementation of IT enabled (SAP based) end-to-end Supply Chain Management System.
- ‘Point of Sale’ software application at all PMBJP kendras.
- 729 districts have been covered.
- A mobile application “Jan Aushadhi Sugam” to enable people to search Jan Aushadhi generic medicine stores has been launched.
- Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkins are now available at Rs 4 per pack.
Prices of Jan Aushadhi Medicines as compared to branded medicines
A medicine under PMBJP is priced on the principle of a maximum of 50% of the average price of top three branded medicines. Therefore, the cost of the Jan Aushadhi Medicines is cheaper atleast by 50% and in some cases, by 80 to 90% of the market price of branded medicines.
166 medicines – cheaper by 80-90%
073 medicines – cheaper by 70-80%
080 medicines – cheaper by 60-70%
383 medicines – cheaper by 50-60%
PMBJP has drastically brought down the prices of quality medicines and making medicines available within the reach of a large section of the population, especially the poor.
The endeavor of Bureau of Pharma Public Sector undertakings of India (BPPI) is to make available all therapeutic medicines at the PMBJKs. A list of medicines with their MRPs which are presently available are given under the heading “Price List of PMBJP medicines” on the website: janaushadhi.gov.in
Jan Aushadhi Medicines are procured on an Open tender basis from WHO (World Health Organisation), GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) compliant manufacturers only. Jan Aushadhi Medicines undergo two stage stringent quality check process at the nationally accredited labs.
How the PMBJP is benefiting the Jan Aushadhi Kendra owners
The Scheme is operated by government agencies as well as by private entrepreneurs.
- For PMBJP kendras run by government agencies, a financial support of Rs. 2.50 lakh is given by Department of Pharmaceuticals of which Rs 1.00 lakh is for medicine and the rest for furniture & IT infrastructure, Space is provided free of cost by concerned state government.
- PMBJP Kendra opened by any individual entrepreneur is extended an incentive of 15% of monthly sales up to Rs. 2.5 lakh in total. Individual SC/ST and differently abled entrepreneurs are provided medicines worth of Rs. 50,000/» in advance.
“By the year 2024, 10,000 Jan Aushadhi stores will be opened in the country. The aim is to have at least one such store at every block level,” CEO BPPI Sachin Singh. Urging the people to buy the generic medicines from the nearest Jan Aushadhi stores, he said the medicines sold at these stores are cheaper and consumers must take the benefit.
“Health is one sector which is on priority of our government. Government is continuously working to provide affordable treatment and medicines at cheaper prices. Today if a patient starts his/her treatment, 70% of money goes on buying medicines,” Hon’ble Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh L Mandaviya said. He further said that the demand of generic medicine is growing and Jan Aushadhi stores across the country are serving 10-15 lakh people per day. He also urged the doctors to prescribe generic medicines and provide affordable healthcare.
Ruchika Puri, a Delhi based freelance writer, specializes in writing articles about the various healthcare schemes launched by the Government of India. Given her passion for writing, she likes to use her expertise and insights to create awareness among people about the healthcare system prevalent in India – like making healthcare affordable & accessible through Government’s Pradhan Mantri Jan-Aushadhi Yojana (PMBJP).
