The Railways Ministry is initiating the establishment of Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras at railway stations nationwide. These centers are part of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, introduced by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in November 2008. The project’s aim is to offer affordable, quality medicines, particularly to economically disadvantaged individuals, thus reducing healthcare-related expenses. These centers provide generic drugs, ensuring equivalent quality and effectiveness to branded counterparts, at lower costs. Additionally, Jan Aushadhi stores offer various allied medical products. The Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Bureau of India coordinates procurement, supply, and marketing of generic drugs through the initiative.
Prelims pointer
- Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras: Centers established under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, offering cost-effective, quality generic medicines and allied medical products to promote affordable healthcare access, especially for the economically disadvantaged.
- Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana: A government initiative launched in 2008, aiming to provide quality, low-cost medicines to the public and decrease healthcare expenses, led by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
- Generic Drugs: Medicines with the same active ingredients, quality, and efficacy as branded drugs but available at lower costs due to their lack of brand-related expenses.
- Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI): An organization established by the Indian government within the Department of Pharmaceuticals to coordinate the procurement, supply, and marketing of generic drugs through Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras
