Pradhan Mantri Jan-Aushadhi Yojana

• IAS NEXT, Lucknow
• 07, Mar 2022

Reference News:-

Janaushadhi Diwas week to be observed from 1st March to 7th March 2022.

• Theme of 4th Janaushadhi Diwas: “Jan Aushadhi-Jan Upyogi”
• Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) is the implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).

Performance of the scheme:

• All the districts of the country have been covered under the scheme.
• Effective IT-enabled logistics and supply-chain systems for ensuring real-time distribution of medicines at all outlets have also been introduced.
• Product basket of PMBJP presently comprises 1,451 drugs and 240 surgical instrument,

About PMBJP:

It is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

• It seeks to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through special kendra’s known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra.
• Initially launched in 2008, the scheme was rechristened in 2015.

Key features of the scheme:

1. Ensure access to quality medicines.
2. Extend 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.
3. Create awareness about generic medicines through education and publicity so that quality is not synonymous with only high price.
4. A public programme involving Government, PSUs, Private Sector, NGO, Societies, Co-operative Bodies and other Institutions.
5. Create demand for generic medicines by improving access to better healthcare through low treatment cost and easy availability wherever needed in all therapeutic categories.