Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

Why in news?

• Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has completed the target of opening of 8,300 Jan Aushadhi Kendras for the FY 2021-22 before end of September, 2021.
• All the districts of the country have been covered under PMBJP.

About PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana:

• Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a scheme launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.
• Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) is the implementation agency for PMBJP.
• Under the scheme, dedicated outlets known as Janaushadhi Kendras are opened to provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.
• It intends to extend the 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.
• All State Governments shall be directed to open Janaushadhi Kendras in Government run hospitals and medical colleges

Salient features:

• The scheme is operated by government agencies as well as by private entrepreneurs
• Incentives amounting  to Rs 5 lakh is provided to Kendra owners @15 % of monthly purchases made
• Prices of the Jan Aushadhi medicines are 50%-90% less than the branded medicines prices in the open market
• Medicines are procured only from WHO - Good Manufacturing Practices certified suppliers for ensuring quality of products
• Each batch of drugs is tested at laboratories accredited by NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) for ensuring best quality.

About Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI):

• PMBI was established in 2008 under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.
• Affordable generic drugs are procured from pharmaceutical companies by the PMBI and supplied to various Janaushadhi Kendras under PMBJP.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

With reference ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana’, consider the following statements:

1. Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) is the implementation agency of the scheme.

2. Under the scheme, the medicines are procured only from WHO - Good Manufacturing Practices certified suppliers

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer