Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Dr Mansukh Mandaviya flagged off the Jan Aushadhi Rath to commence celebrations of Jan Aushadhi Jan Chetna Abhiyaan in New Delhi today. This event kick started the launch of 5th Jan Aushadhi celebrations across the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said, Jan Aushadhi week is being observed followed by Aushadhi Diwas on 7th March, 2023. This Jan Aushadhi week will focus on awareness about the Jan Aushadhi amongst people. He said, while inexpensive and quality medicines are available at Jan Aushadhi Kendras throughout the country, these Kendras are also providing sanitary pads to women at the price of just Re 1 per pad.
The Minister called for generating awareness about this among women, as they could buy the pads from Jan Aushadhi Kendras at nominal price. Dr Mandaviya further stated that a major programme will be organised on 7th March where many dignitaries and beneficiaries of Jan Aushadhi will be invited.
Beneficiaries will narrate their experiences and doctors will share their views regarding Jan Aushadhi Kendras, so that these Kendras can get more publicity. The Minister informed that Jan Aushadhi Kendra can be opened by any private individual. 20% commission is provided to him so that he can not only get a medium of employment, but also of service.
Department of Pharmaceuticals has planned various events in different cities starting from 1st of March 2023 to 7th March 2023 which will focus on awareness about the Jan Aushadhi Scheme. Seminars, participation of children, women and NGO’s, Heritage walks and Health camps and many other activities engaging PMBJKs owners, Beneficiaries, State/UT officials, Public Representatives, Doctors, Health Workers, Nurses, Pharmacists, Jan Aushadhi Mitras at different locations across the country covering all State/UTs.
With an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India in November, 2008. As on 31st January, 2023, the numbers of stores have increased to 9082. Under the PMBJP, 743 districts out of 764 districts of the nation have been covered.
This scheme ensures easy reach of affordable medicine to the people in every nook and corner of the country. The Government has set a target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,000 by the end of December 2023. Product basket of PMBJP comprises 1759 drugs and 280 surgical instruments.
Further, new medicines and nutraceuticals products like protein powder, malt-based food supplements, protein bar, immunity bar, sanitizer, masks, glucometer, oximeter, etc. have been also launched.Medicines available under PMBJP are priced 50%-90% less than that of branded prices.
During the financial year 2021-22, PMBJP has achieved sales of Rs. 893.56 crores (at MRP). This has led to savings of approximately Rs. 5360 crores of the common citizens. In the current financial year i.e. 2022-23 till 15.02.2023, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of PMBJP has made sales of more than Rs. 1000 Crore which has further led to savings of approximately Rs. 6000 Cr. to the citizens.
At present three IT enabled warehouses of PMBJP are functional at Gurugram, Chennai, Guwahati and Surat. 36 distributors have been appointed across the country to support the supply of medicines to remote and rural areas.In last 8 years, PMBJP has achieved a tremendous growth and unbeatable success due to quality medicines being available at cheaper cost to the people of the nation.
It has drastically cut down the out of the pocket expenditure of the lower- and middle-class people of India. This has saved more than Rs. 20000 crores of citizens on cost of medicines. This wider acceptance of people has given PMBJP further impetus to enhance its outreach in every corner of the country.