Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana {प्रधानमंत्री जन औषधि योजना}

The main goal of this scheme is to provide quality medicines at affordable prices for everyone. The Department of Pharmaceuticals introduced the ‘PM Jan Aushadhi Scheme’, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India in November 2008 in all over India. Now the Jan Aushadhi Scheme has been renamed as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana or PMBJP in 2016. 

This scheme is initiated through the registered society named as Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India that is working under the administrative control of Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. Under this scheme, more than 154 surgical, 800 medicines, and edibles in all prime healing categories, i.e. Anti-infectives, Anti-allergics, Anti-diabetics, Cardiovascular, Anti-cancers, Gastro-intestinal medication, etc. are being made and supplied.

Mission

• Let the public have enough knowledge and awareness of generic medicine.
• To generate demand for this generic medicine with the help of medicos.
• Generate knowledge by education and awareness programs preaching that not every right quality product needs to be expensive.
• Offer all the customarily used generic medicines to all the therapeutic groups.
• Supply all the related health care products as well.\

Implementation

Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India under the directorial power of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India is the implementation agency for the PMBJP.

The BPPI is instituted under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, with the help of all the Pharma CPSUs for managing procurement, supply and marketing of generic medicines under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras. 

Funding

The Government of India entirely supported the BPPI financially in the preceding years. However, after the establishment of the scheme, the BPPI will try to recover as much as funds possible of its gained expenses on its wages, salary, office expenses and publicity expenses by the trade margin. 

Key Features of Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana

• State Governments or any organization / reputed NGOs / Trusts / Private hospitals / Charitable institutions / Doctors / Unemployed pharmacists/entrepreneurs are qualified to apply for new Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.
• The applicants must have to appoint at least one B Pharma / D Pharma degree holder as Pharmacist in their store.
• Applications must be submitted to the BPPI portal either online or offline.
• Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras can be located within Government hospitals grounds and Private hospital grounds or anywhere outside.
• Along with medicines and medical products given by BPPI, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras are permitted to sell allied medical products commonly sold in chemist shops to improve the capability of the shops.
• BPPI must supply the medicines both from Pharma PSUs and from the Private companies. But the PSUs have the first right to provide the medication and only reputed private companies are allowed to supply medicines.
• Tendering for medicines will be only via e tendering. The process for bidding should be fully transparent.
• BPPI must have a Central WareHouse, C&F agents at different locations and Distributors in all the States/UTs.
• BPPI must draw samples and send them to NABL accredited laboratories for inspection about the receipt of the goods. Goods must be dispatched to distributors only after receipt’s verification.
• BBPI must adopt a good marketing strategy to spread awareness about generic medicines.
• Financial help to applicants with an amount of INR 2.5 lakhs must be given to NGOs/agencies/individuals. They are establishing Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras in Government hospital grounds where space is provided free of cost by Government with INR 1 lakh reimbursement for furniture and fixtures INR 1 lakh by way of free medicines in the beginning Rs. 0.50 lakh as reimbursement for computer and peripherals, internet, etc.
• For the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras present anywhere else by private entrepreneurs/institutions / NGOs / Trusts / Charitable organizations which are linked with BPPI headquarters via the internet must extend an incentive up to INR 2.5 lakhs. This will be provided at 15% of monthly sales on the ceiling of Rs. 10,000/- per month up to a limit of INR 2.5 lakhs. In northeastern states, such as Naxalite areas and tribal areas, the rate will be 15% with a monthly ceiling of INR 15,000 and a total limit of INR 2.5 lakhs.
• 20% trade margin must be added in the price for retailers and 10% for distributors.
• Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras and Distributors will receive 2% of total sale profit or loss. They can't return goods to BPPI. Stocks expiring at the C&F level will entirely be the loss of BPPI.
• There is a credit facility available for 30 days along with post dated cheques. There are credits for distributors as well but with 60 days against post dated checks. C&F agencies need to submit a security amount depending upon the business.
• BPPI must arrange an appropriate training program for entrepreneurs who don’t have any experience in operating medicine shops.
• Institutions / Charitable organizations / NGOs who are attaining medicines for their own consumption / free distribution to the poor and needy will be allowed to reach products from BPPI CFA agents. 
• The victory of this initiation depends on other agencies as well, i.e. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, State Governments, the active cooperation of Honorable Members of Parliament, Honorable members of various Legislative assemblies, IMA, Hospitals run by Private groups and Charitable institutions, NGOs, Practicing Doctors etc. States that have their schemes like free distribution of medicines will be mixed with the PMBJP scheme. Generic Medicines with no prescription doctors is another factor. BPPI is still making efforts to pursue Doctors to give only generic medicines to the patients. 

Official Website

You can learn more about this scheme on the official website: janaushadhi.gov.in

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi?

 ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi’ is a campaign introduced by the Department of Pharmaceuticals along with Central Pharma Public Sector, to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the public through shops called 'Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra'.

Q. What are generic medicines?

Generic drugs are marketed under a non-proprietary brand name These are of good quality with lesser price.

Q. What is BPPI?

BPPI is Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India which is established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

Q. Are the generic medicines as effective as branded ones?

The generic medicines have the same quality as of the branded ones.

Q. Does the generic medicines benefit the patients?

The generic medicines can benefit the patients by reducing their cost.

Q. How many Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendras have been opened so far?

Almost 4100 have been opened so far.

Q. Who can open a Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendra?

Any NGO/Institution/Co-operative Society recognized by State Governments with free space provided in the grounds of Government Hospitals.

Q. Who can buy from these shops?

Any citizen of India can buy medicines from these shops.