Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

Government of India's generic medicine's scheme

Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
Agency overview
Formed	2008; 16 years ago (2008)
Headquarters	New Delhi, India
Parent department	Department of Pharmaceuticals
Website	www.janaushadhi.gov.in

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 Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through special kendras known as Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendra (PMBJK).

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

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

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

The Jan Aushadhi initiative makes quality drugs available at affordable prices through dedicated stores. These stores sell 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

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 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

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