Review of PMBJP

Why in News

Recently, the Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers has held a comprehensive review meeting of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).

Key Points

  • PMBJP has achieved sales of Rs. 358 crores worth of pharma products through 6600 Janaushadhi Kendras during the first seven months of the fiscal year 2020-21 (up to 31st October) and is likely to surpass sales of Rs. 600 crore for the entire year.
    • Sales figure has seen a jump from Rs 7.29 crore in 2014-15 to Rs. 433 crore in 2019-20.
    • Janaushadhi Kendras have grown from mere 99 stores in 2014-15 to around 6600 stores in 2019-20.
  • The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) was appraised for ensuring the supply of medicines and other pharma products like masks to people at affordable rates during Covid-19.
    • BPPI is the implementing agency of the PMBJP.
    • It was established in December 2008 under the Department of Pharmaceuticals and has been registered as an independent society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
  • Suggestions on Improvement:
    • BPPI should take measures to reduce out of pocket expenditure of citizens on medicines, especially of marginalised sections of the society by strengthening supply chains and adopting innovative measures.
    • There is a need to work on increasing awareness of people regarding efficacy and quality of Janaushadhi medicines, increasing coverage with a focus on remote and rural areas, and for making sure availability of medicines at each Janaushadhi shop.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

  • It is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in 2008 under the name Janaushadi Campaign, which was revamped as PMBJP in 2015-16.
  • Aim:
    • 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.
    • To create awareness about generic medicines through education and publicity so that quality is not synonymous with an only high price.
  • Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras:
    • Also called Janaushadhi Kendras, these were set up across the country under PMBJP to provide generic drugs.
      • Generic drugs are marketed under a non-proprietary or approved name rather than a brand name. These are equally effective and inexpensive compared to their counterparts.
    • All drugs procured under this scheme are tested for quality assurance at the National Accreditation Board Laboratories (NABL) accredited laboratories and are compliant with the World Health Organisation Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO GMP) benchmarks.
    • Government grants of up to Rs. 2.5 lakhs are provided for setting up of PMBJKs, 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.
  • Janaushadhi Week:
    • It was celebrated across the country from 1st to 7th March 2020, to inform and educate the general public about the price benefits and quality of the medicines being sold at Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
  • Janaushadhi Sugam Application:
    • This mobile application was launched in August 2019 to help people in:
      • Locating nearby Janaushadhi Kendra through Google Maps.
      • Searching for Janaushadhi generic medicines.
      • Analysing product comparison of generic versus branded medicine in form of Maximum Retail Price (MRP) and overall savings, etc.

Source: PIB