Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, speaking on the occasion, stated that Jan Aushadhi week is being observed, followed by Aushadhi Diwas on March 7, 2023. This Jan Aushadhi week will focus on raising public awareness about the Jan Aushadhi.
He stated that, in addition to providing inexpensive and high-quality medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country, these Kendras also provide sanitary pads to women for the low cost of Re 1 per pad. The Minister advocated for raising awareness among women about the fact that they could purchase the pads at a low cost from Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Dr. Mandaviya also stated that a major event will be held on March 7th, to which many dignitaries and Jan Aushadhi beneficiaries will be invited. Beneficiaries will share their experiences, and doctors will share their perspectives on Jan Aushadhi Kendras, in order for these Kendras to receive more attention. The Minister stated that any private individual can open a Jan Aushadhi Kendra. He is given a 20% commission so that he can not only get a medium of employment but also service.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals has planned a series of events in various cities from March 1st to March 7th, 2023, to raise awareness about the Jan Aushadhi Scheme. Seminars, participation of children, women, and non-governmental organizations, heritage walks, and health camps, and many other activities involving PMBJK owners, beneficiaries, state/UT officials, public representatives, doctors, health workers, nurses, pharmacists, and Jan Aushadhi Mitras at various locations across the country covering all states/UTs.
The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched in November 2008 by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, with the goal of making quality generic medicines affordable to all. The number of stores has increased to 9082 as of January 31, 2023. The PMBJP has covered 743 districts out of the 764 districts in the country.
This scheme ensures that people in every part of the country have easy access to affordable medicine. 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. PMBJP's product basket includes 1759 drugs and 280 surgical instruments. New medicines and nutraceuticals products, such as protein powder, malt-based food supplements, protein bar, immunity bar, sanitizer, masks, glucometer, oximeter, and so on, have also been introduced.
Medicines available under PMBJP are priced 50%-90% less than that of branded prices. PMBJP achieved sales of Rs. 893.56 crores in fiscal year 2021-22. (at MRP). This has resulted in savings of approximately Rs. 5360 crores by ordinary citizens. Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of PMBJP, has made sales of more than Rs. 1000 Crore in the current fiscal year, resulting in savings of approximately Rs. 6000 Cr. to citizens. PMBJP currently operates three IT-enabled warehouses in Gurugram, Chennai, Guwahati, and Surat. 36 distributors have been appointed across the country to help with medicine distribution to remote and rural areas.
In the last 8 years, the PMBJP has experienced tremendous growth and unrivaled success as a result of quality medicines becoming more affordable to the people of the country. It has significantly reduced the out-of-pocket expenditure of India's lower and middle classes. This has saved citizens more than Rs. 20000 crores in medicine costs. This increased acceptance of people has given the PMBJP even more impetus to expand its reach throughout the country.
