The Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers recently held a detailed review meeting for Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). This meeting served as an opportunity to evaluate progress, consider future strategies, and discuss potential areas of improvement.
PMBJP’s Achievements: Sales and Growth
PMBJP has demonstrated substantial growth in the pharmaceutical sector. Within the first seven months of the fiscal year 2020-21 (up to 31st October), PMBJP managed to make sales worth Rs. 358 crores through its 6600 Janaushadhi Kendras. If the sales momentum continues, estimates suggest a possibility of surpassing a sales figure of Rs. 600 crore by the end of the fiscal year. The sales figure has seen a significant rise; from Rs. 7.29 crore in 2014-15 to Rs. 433 crore in 2019-20. Simultaneously, the number of Janaushadhi Kendras has grown from 99 in 2014-15 to around 6600 stores in 2019-20.
The Role of Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI)
The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), established in December 2008 under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, is the implementing agency of PMBJP. Recognized as an independent society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, BPPI was commended for ensuring the steady supply of medicines and other pharmaceutical products like masks during the Covid-19 pandemic at affordable rates.
Recommendations for Improvement
To further enhance PMBJP’s effectiveness, particular areas need improvement. BPPI should aim to lower citizens’ out-of-pocket expenses on medicines, particularly for marginalized groups. This improvement can be achieved by strengthening supply chains and adopting innovative measures. There is also a need to increase public awareness about the efficacy and quality of Janaushadhi medicines. Other focus areas include broadening coverage, especially in remote and rural regions, and ensuring the availability of medicines at all Janaushadhi shops.
Insight into Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
Initiated by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in 2008 as the ‘Janaushadi Campaign,’ this campaign was revamped and rebranded as PMBJP in 2015-16. The PMBJP aims to extend the reach of quality generic medicines, redefining the per-person treatment cost by reducing out-of-pocket expenditure on medicines. It also seeks to raise awareness about generic medicines’ quality, dissociating high price from quality.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras
Commonly referred to as Janaushadhi Kendras, these centres were set up across India under PMBJP to distribute generic drugs, marketed under approved, non-proprietary names. These drugs are as effective as their brand-name counterparts, but far more economical. They are tested for quality assurance at National Accreditation Board Laboratories (NABL) accredited laboratories and comply with World Health Organisation Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO GMP) benchmarks. For establishing PMBJKs, the government provides grants of up to Rs. 2.5 lakhs, making it feasible for doctors, pharmacists, entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups (SHGs), NGOs, and charitable societies to set them up at any suitable location.
Janaushadhi Week and Janaushadhi Sugam Application
A week-long event called “Janaushadhi Week” was celebrated from 1st to 7th March 2020 to educate the public about the benefits and quality of medicines available at Janaushadhi Kendras. Additionally, a mobile application named ‘Janaushadhi Sugam’ was launched in August 2019. This app aids users in locating nearby Janaushadhi Kendra through Google Maps and finding Janaushadhi generic medicines. It also allows for a comparative analysis of generic versus branded medicine prices.
