Jan Aushadi Yojana

 

Jan Aushadi Yojana

INTRODUCTION

With a view to achieve the objective of making available quality generic medicines at affordable prices to all, „Jan Aushadhi Scheme‟ was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, and Government of India in November, 2008 across the country. The Scheme is being implemented through the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), under the administrative control of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, and Government of India.

In September 2015, the „Jan Aushadhi Scheme‟ was revamped as „Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana‟ (PMJAY). In November, 2016, to give further impetus to the scheme, it was again renamed as “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana” (PMBJP).Accordingly, 'ensuring availability of quality medicines at affordable prices to all', has been a key objective of the Government.

The Salient features of the Jan Aushadhi Scheme are:

i. Making quality medicines available at affordable prices for all, particularly for the the poor and disadvantaged, through specialized outlets called the Jan Aushadhi Stores (JAS).

ii. Provision of built up space for JAS in district hospitals by the State Governments

iii. Operation of JAS by the State Government nominated Operating Agencies like NGOs, Charitable Organizations and public societies like the Red Cross Society and Rogi Kalyan Samitis, constituted for the purpose

iv. Meeting the operational expenditure from the trade margins admissible for the medicines.

v. Supply of the generic medicines in the first instance by the Central Pharma PSUs so as to ensure both quality and timely supply. However, wherever required, medicines could be sourced from quality small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) units.

vi. To ensure prescription of generic medicines by the Government doctors with proactive support from the State Governments. The Key objectives of Jan Aushadhi Scheme are:

i. To make quality the hallmark of medicines by ensuring supplies from the Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSUs) and also through other Public Sector Undertaking (PSUs) and Good manufacturing practices (GMP) compliant manufacturers in the private sector.

ii. Extend coverage of quality generic medicines, which would reduce and thereby redefine the unit cost of treatment per person.

iii. Provide access to any prescription drug or Over the Counter (OTC) drug in all therapeutic categories as generic equivalents, which is not to be restricted to the beneficiaries of Public Health System alone but also to serve others.

iv. Create awareness through education and publicity that quality is not synonymous with high price

v. Create a demand for generic medicines “By All for All” by improving access to better healthcare through low treatment costs.

vi. Involve State governments, Central Government, Public Sector Enterprises, and Private Sector, NGOs, Cooperative bodies and other institutions since it is a public welfare programme.

vii. Develop a model which can be replicated in other countries of the world, in pursuit of their common goal of achieving affordable quality health care.

 

Benefits of the Jan Aushadhi Scheme Campaign

The Jan Aushadhi initiative makes available quality drugs at affordable prices through dedicated stores selling generic medicines which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs. Some comparative advantages are:

i. Promote greater awareness about cost-effective drugs and their prescription.

ii. Make available unbranded quality generic medicines at affordable prices through public-private partnership.

iii. Encourage doctors, more specifically in government hospitals, to prescribe generic medicines.

iv. Enable substantial savings in health care, more particularly in the case of poor patients, and those suffering from chronic ailments, requiring long periods of drug use.

GOVERNMENT ACTION AND ACHIEVEMENT OF THE SCHEME

At present 1253 Jan Aushadhi Stores/ Kendras have been opened across the country which are covering 29 States/UTs and 419 Districts till 30th April, 2017 (provided in Annexure I & II).

For opening PMBJP2 Kendras in Government Hospitals / Medical College premises, one-time financial assistance up to Rs. 2.50 lakh is provided as per the details given below:

(i) Rs. 1 lakh reimbursement of furniture and fixtures.

(ii) Rs. 1 lakh by way of free medicines in the beginning.

(iii) Rs. 0.50 lakh as reimbursement for computer, internet, printer, scanner,

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