New Delhi, November 16 (IANS). More than ten countries are considering adopting India’s generic pharmacy model to provide affordable medicines to the public. This has come to light in a report.
In July, Mauritius became the first country to launch an International Jan Aushadhi Centre, helping it obtain around 250 high-quality medicines from India’s Bureau of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices. This includes cardiovascular analgesics ophthalmic and anti allergic drugs.
Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Ghana, Suriname, Nicaragua, Mozambique, Solomon Islands and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan are also considering opening Jan Aushadhi centres.
Burkina Faso, the Fiji Islands, and Saint Kitts and Nevis are in talks with governments to help implement the plan, the report said.
Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a public welfare scheme launched in November 2008 by the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Through Jan Aushadhi Kendras, quality medicines are made available to the general public at affordable prices.
In 2014, there were only 80 Jan Aushadhi Centers in the country. According to official data, a total of 13,822 Jan Aushadhi Centers have been established across the country by September 2024.
These centers also achieved record sales of Rs 200 crore in September, the highest monthly sales in the history of PMBJP.
Medicines worth Rs 6100 crore have been sold through the centers in the last 10 years, resulting in an estimated saving of Rs 30,000 crore to the people.
The prices of medicines, surgical instruments and nutraceutical products at Jan Aushadhi Kendras are at least 50 per cent cheaper than the market price of branded medicines and in some cases up to 80 to 90 per cent cheaper.
The central government has set a target of opening 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Centers across the country by March 2026.
–IANS
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