The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in November 2008 to give the general public access to high-quality medications at reasonable costs. The scheme was once known as “Jan Aushadhi.”
The purpose of the policy is to:
- educating the public about generic medications.
- generating demand for generic medications through healthcare professionals.
- educating people and spreading awareness about the fact that high cost does not always equate to excellent quality.
- supplying all generic medications that are widely utilized and span all therapeutic categories.
- supplying all relevant healthcare goods by the plan.
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NECESSITY OF THE POLICY
India is one of the world’s top suppliers of generic medications. However, although having comparable therapeutic benefits, branded drugs are much more expensive than their unbranded generic equivalents, limiting access to medications for the nation’s marginalized people. Therefore, it is imperative to guarantee that individuals have access to less expensive generic medications; doing so is in their best interests. The government’s Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana brings this idea to life to provide high-quality generic medications to all citizens.
POLICY DETAILS
The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (BPPI), which is supervised by the Department of Pharmaceuticals and the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, is responsible for carrying out the program. It covers more than 1,250 medications and 204 surgical and consumable items in all major therapeutic areas, including gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, anti-cancer, anti-allergic, and anti-infective medications.
The PMBJP’s PRADHAN MANTRI BHARTIYA JANAUSHADHI PARIYOJANA KENDRAS
The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendra program was in existence in India as of March 2021 with 7,500 centers. A pharmaceutical is priced by the PMBJP Kendras according to the rule that it can cost no more than 50% of the average cost of the top three branded medications. As a result, the price of Jan Aushadhi medications is about 50% and, in certain circumstances, 80-90% less than the market price for branded medications.
The following are the main requirements and services provided to applicants interested in starting a Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendra:
- A new PMBJP Kendra may be requested from any state government or institution, including NGOs, trusts, philanthropic organizations, private hospitals, doctors, jobless chemists, and independent business owners.
- One B-Pharma/D-Pharma degree holder must work as a chemist in the intended store, according to the interested applicant.
- There must be a PMBJP Kendra on the grounds of both public and private hospitals.
- The BPPI-supplied medications and surgical supplies, as well as associated medical goods that are frequently purchased in drugstores, can be purchased at the PMBJP Kendra.
- Only open tenders from WHO (World Health Organisation) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practises) compliant manufacturers are permitted for PMBJP Kendras to purchase medications. Additionally, medications will go through a rigorous two-stage quality check process in nationally recognized facilities.
- To establish PMBJP Kendras in government hospitals and private hospital facilities, NGOs, agencies, or individuals will receive Rs. 2.5 lakh (US$ 3,336); however, only those Kendras established in government hospitals will receive Rs. 1 lakh (US$ 1,334.40) in reimbursements for furniture and fixtures in the form of free medicines.
- All Kendras will have access to credit for 30 days against any postdated checks.
- BPPI will set up training courses for business owners who have no prior experience operating a medical supply store.
The following steps must be followed to start a Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendra:
- The applicant must apply for the BPPI either online or offline.
- The applicant should have either personal property or rented space that is legally supported by a valid lease agreement. The bare minimum space needed, which complies with BPPI-approved criteria, is 120 square feet.
- Aadhaar and PAN cards are required for each candidate.
- Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, certificates of incorporation, and registration certificates are needed for institutions, NGOs, charity organizations, and hospitals.
- The necessary documentation for government or government-nominated organizations includes information about the department that was responsible for allocating the space, as well as supporting paperwork/sanction orders, a PAN card, and an Aadhaar card.
- The applicant should be able to run the business profitably, as demonstrated by audited financial records for the previous three years (bank statements for the previous three years, or, in the case of individuals, a letter from the bank approving the extension of credit).
SUGAM JANAUSHADHI
To assist citizens with services like finding a nearby PMBJP Kendra, searching for Jan Aushadhi medications, analyzing/comparing maximum retail prices (MRP) of products (including generic medicines vs. branded medicines), and overall savings, the government launched the Janaushadhi Sugam mobile application, a digital platform.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS FOR PRADHAN MANTRI BHARTIYA JANAUSHADHI PARIYOJANA (PMBJP)
The Karnataka government declared its intention to open 1,000 facilities by the end of 2021 in February 2021. In government hospitals, there were 850 Jan Aushadhi centers as of February 2021.
The Punjabi government declared in January 2021 that it will install sanitary pad vending machines in girls’ schools. These sanitary pads will cost Re. 1 (1 cent) each and are 100 percent biodegradable.
In the first seven months of FY20, through Jan Aushadhi outlets, pharmaceutical supplies worth Rs. 358 crores (US$ 47.77 million) were sold in November 2020.
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KEY DEVELOPMENTS FOR PRADHAN MANTRI BHARTIYA JANAUSHADHI PARIYOJANA (PMBJP)
The Karnataka government declared its intention to open 1,000 facilities by the end of 2021 in February 2021. In government hospitals, there were 850 Jan Aushadhi centers as of February 2021.
The Punjabi government declared in January 2021 that it will install sanitary pad vending machines in girls’ schools. These sanitary pads will cost Re. 1 (1 cent) each and are 100 percent biodegradable.
In the first seven months of FY20, through Jan Aushadhi outlets, pharmaceutical supplies worth Rs. 358 crores (US$ 47.77 million) were sold in November 2020.
The Indian government announced in August 2020 that it would provide impoverished women with more than 50 million sanitary towels at a minimum cost of Rs. 2.5 (34 cents) per through 6,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Based on uploaded prescriptions, many Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras began accepting medication orders via WhatsApp and emails in May 2020 and started delivering medicines to patients’ doorsteps.
The Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, which the Indian government announced intentions to implement using a public-private partnership (PPP) model, calls for the establishment of several Aushdhi centers.
Despite procurement and logistical issues brought on by the COVID-19-induced lockdowns, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJAK) announced in May 2020 that its sales turnover for April 2020 was Rs. 52 crores (US$ 6.94 million).
The cost of a Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable sanitary pad was cut in half by the Central Government in August 2019 to Rs. 1 (14 cents) per pad from Rs. 2.50 (34 cents).
The government declared in March 2019 that it would launch 2,500 Jan Aushadhi outlets across the nation.
