Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

In News 

Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has for the first time ever crossed Rs. 100 Crore sales in the month of May, 2022

About Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

• It  is a campaign launched in  November, 2008 by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in association with Central Pharma  Public Sector Undertakings, to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through  dedicated outlets known as Pradhan Mantri  Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK).
•  They  provide generic medicines at much lesser price. The  potency of these medicines is the same as that of  expensive branded medicines available in the open  market. The Jan Aushadhi scheme requires that at least one Janaushadhi Store be set up in each District of  the country.
• Objectives 

Need of PMBJP

• Despite being one of the leading exporters of generic medicines to the world, the majority of  Indians have no access to affordable medicines. 
• The total expenditure on out-patient care is  significantly higher than the in-patient care. 

Salient Features of PMBJP

• PMBJP has been approved for continuation by State Financial Corporations (SFCs)with financial outlay of Rs. 490 crore for period 2020-2021 to 2024-2025.
  • To open 10,500 PMBJP Kendras all over the country by March 2025.
• The sales margin/earning of PMBJP Kendras is 20% of MRP (excluding taxes), as mentioned on the product.
• The incentive provided to the Kendra owners has been enhanced from earlier Rs. 2.5 Lakh to up to Rs. 5 Lakh to be given @ 15% of monthly purchases made, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 15,000/- per month, w.e.f. April 2021.
  • Special one-time grant of up to Rs. 2 Lakh for specified categories for opening PMBJP  Kendra.
• Under the Scheme, medicines are procured from World Health Organisation – Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers for ensuring the quality of the products.
•  Apart from this, each batch of drug is tested at laboratories accredited by ‘National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories’ (NABL). 
  • Only after passing the quality tests, the medicines are dispatched to PMBJP Kendras. Medicines available under PMBJP are priced 50%-90% less than that of branded prices.

PMBJP: Progress Card

• Till May 2014, only 80  ‘Janaushadhi Stores’ were in operation in selected States.
• The Government revamped the ‘Jan Aushadhi Scheme’ in  September 2015 as ‘Pradhan  Mantri Janaushadhi Yojana’  (PMJAY).
  • To give further impetus to the  scheme, it was again renamed as  Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya  Janaushadhi Pariyojana  (PMBJP).
• As on January 31, 2022, the number of stores has increased to 8,675. 
  • Under the  PMBJP, all 739 districts of the nation have been covered.
•  The 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 10,500 by the end of March 2025.
• This scheme is also providing a good source of self-employment with sustainable and regular earnings. 

Source:PIB