New Delhi, July 24 (IANS). The Central Government told Parliament on Friday that so far 20,149 Jan Aushadhi Centers have been opened across the country. According to the government, people have so far saved about Rs 45,000 crore through the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Yojana.
Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda told the Lok Sabha that in the last 12 years, under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Yojana, people have saved about Rs 45,000 crore compared to branded medicines. This has significantly reduced the out-of-pocket expenses of families on medicines.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Yojana, 2,110 types of medicines and 315 surgical items, medical items and equipment are available. These include medicines for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, infections, allergies and stomach related diseases as well as nutritional supplements (nutraceuticals).
At present, this scheme is implemented in 776 out of 784 districts of the country. Almost all generic medicines included in the ‘National Essential Medicines List’, except lab reagents and vaccines, are included in this product basket.
Under the scheme, Jan Aushadhi Kendras are encouraged to keep a stock of 200 commonly used medicines. This includes the 100 most demanded medicines and 100 fastest selling medicines in the market. Jan Aushadhi Kendra operators are given incentive amount every month for keeping adequate stock of these medicines.
‘Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India’ (PMBI), the agency implementing the PMBJP scheme, continuously evaluates Jan Aushadhi Kendras based on their sales performance.
According to the statement, a review of the scheme and its better functioning shows that PMBJP has made significant improvements in providing affordable and good quality generic medicines across the country through the growing network of Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Constant monitoring is done and necessary steps are taken to ensure that there is no shortage of medicines and that essential medicines are easily available across the country.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) runs awareness campaigns in collaboration with institutions and platforms like Central Communication Bureau, Press Information Bureau (PIB), MyGov and My Bharat to increase the reach and sale of medicines provided through Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs).
–IANS
SHK/PM
