Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra

What is PM Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMBJP)?

In the year of 2008, the Department of Pharmaceuticals launched Jan Aushadhi Campaign, which was re-structured in 2015-16 as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP). Its tagline is “Jan Aushadhi-Seva bhi, Rojgar bhi“. Through this Scheme, the government wants to spread awareness about generic medicines and change the mindset of people that high price means high quality.
Branded generic medicines are very costly in comparison to unbranded medicines with the same compositions. In a country like India where there is widespread poverty, providing medicines at affordable rates is very necessary and Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP) was started to do this. The central government is encouraging people for opening PMBJP Kendras and they are also giving incentives for this. 

Objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMBJP):

• To create awareness about affordable Generic Medicines.
• To break the mindset that high price means high quality.
• To make available Generic Medicines and Surgical items at a very cheap price so that even the weakest section of society can afford them.
• To generate employment by opening PMBJP Kendras.

Features of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra?

• The government has set up over 8000 PMBJP Kendra all over India covering each and every district to make medicines available at affordable prices.
• The government is adding new medicines to this scheme so that all types of medicine will be available, apart from the medicine they are adding other health-related items also like protein powder, food supplements, surgical items, etc.
• From 27th August 2019, Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkin is available in over 8000 PMBJP Kendras at 1 rupee per pad. 
• Medicines under this scheme are 50% to 90% cheaper than the price of branded medicines.
• The government is giving incentives to help those who want to open PMBJP Kendras.
• State governments or any organization/NGOs/individual can open PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras but it is necessary that a person with a B. Pharma/ D. Pharma degree will be a pharmacist at these stores.

Support by Government for PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras:

• The government gives incentives up to 5 lakh (early it was 2.5 lakh) but it is not given to store owners at once rather it is given in form of 15% of monthly sales or 15,000 per month whichever is higher.
• Another incentive given by the government is 2 lakh and it is for equipment that is required for Kendras like a computer, printer for billing, and other equipment.
• The central government had requested State health departments to open PMBJP Kendras in various hospitals by providing rent-free spaces for them.

Implementation of PMBJP & Role of BPPI:

• The central government along with the state government are spreading awareness about the scheme through various media platforms so that the number of beneficiaries increases.
• Janaushadhi Kendras distribute high-quality generic medications to everyone and The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) has the responsibility of providing medicines to PMBJP Kendra hence it is the executive body of this scheme.
• The government selects only World Health Organization-Good Manufacturing Practices(WHO-GMP) certified suppliers to provide medicines for this scheme.
• All medicines are checked by National Accreditation Board for testing and calibration Laboratories(NABL) before they are shipped to PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.

Advantages of PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras:

• It will provide medicines at a very cheaper rate in comparison to the market, government is continuously adding new medicines in this scheme so that it can cover every medicine.
• With over 8000 stores all over India, this scheme is serving a lot of people and saving many lives per day.
• These stores will also provide employment to individuals.
• It will save people money that they spend on costly medicines, in the financial year 2021-22 this scheme saved approximately 4000 crores for citizens of India.

Related Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

Q1. Who can open a PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras?

Ans: State governments or any organization/NGOs/individual can open PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras but it is necessary that a person with a B Pharma/ D Pharma degree will be a pharmacist at these stores.

Q2. What are the advantages of PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras?

Ans: Advantages of PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras are:-

• It will provide medicines at a very cheaper rate in comparison to the market, government is continuously adding new medicines in this scheme so that it can cover every medicine.
• With over 8000 stores all over India, this scheme is serving a lot of people and saving many lives per day.
• These stores will also provide employment to individuals.
• It will save people money that they spend on costly medicines, in the financial year 2021-22 this scheme saved approximately 4000 crores for citizens of India.

Q3. Describe the Implementation of PMBJP.

Ans: Central government along with the State government are spreading awareness about the scheme through various media platforms so that the number of beneficiaries increases. The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) has the responsibility of providing medicines to PMBJP Kendra and hence it is the executive body of this scheme. The government selects only World Health Organization-Good Manufacturing Practices(WHO-GMP) certified suppliers to provide medicines for this scheme. All medicines are checked by National Accreditation Board for testing and calibration Laboratories(NABL) before they are shipped to PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.

Q4. Why PMBJP is important in India?

Ans: Branded generic medicines are very costly in comparison to unbranded medicines with the same compositions. In a country like India where there is widespread poverty, providing medicines at affordable rates is very necessary and Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP) was started to do this. The government is adding new medicines to this scheme so that all types of medicine will be available, apart from the medicine they are adding other health-related items also like protein powder, food supplements, surgical items, etc.

Q5. What are the incentives given to the Kendra owners under this scheme?

Ans: Two types of incentives are given under this scheme:

• The government gives incentives up to 5 lakh (early it was 2.5 lakh) but it is not given to store owners at once rather it is given in form of 15% of monthly sales or 15,000 per month whichever is higher.
• Another incentive given by the government is 2 lakh and it is for equipment that is required for Kendras like a computer, printer for billing, and other equipment.