Q Why in News?
The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) celebrated the 3rd Janaushadhi Diwas (7th March 2021) to spread awareness about quality generic medicines, available at low prices.
- Theme of Janaushadhi Diwas was “Seva Bhi Rozgar bhi”. The Janaushadhi week was celebrated across the country from 1st-7th March 2021.
- As a part of celebrations, the Prime Minister inaugurated the 7,500th Janaushadhi Kendra at NEIGRIHMS, Shillong.
Q What are features of Janaushadhi Kendra?
- Janaushadhi Kendra:
- Bureau of Pharma PSUs in India (BPPI) supports Janaushadhi Kendras as a part of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.
- These are the centres from where quality generic medicines are made available to all.
- The number of stores has grown to more than 7400 and all 734 districts of the country have Janaushadhi Kendras.
- Government grants of up to Rs. 2.5 lakhs are provided for setting up of Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendras, which can be set up by doctors, pharmacists, entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups (SHGs), NGOs, charitable societies, etc. at any suitable place or outside the hospital premises.
Q What is Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)?
- PMBJP is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in 2008 under the name Jan Aushadhi Campaign.The campaign was revamped as PMBJP in 2015-16.
- Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementation agency for PMBJP.
- The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India works under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
- BPPI has also developed the Janaushadhi Sugam Application.
- PMBJP stores have been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.
- It also intends to extend the coverage of quality generic medicines so as to reduce the out of pocket expenditure on medicines and thereby redefine the unit cost of treatment per person.
- 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 price of Janaushadhi Medicines is cheaper at least by 50% and in some cases, by 90% of the market price of branded medicines.
Q How is the performance of PMBJP so far ?
- In the current financial year 2020-21, PMBJP has already achieved sales of Rs. 593.84 crores. This has led to savings of approximately Rs. 3600 crores of the common citizens of the country.
- This scheme is also providing a good source of self-employment with sustainable and regular earnings.
