Increase in the number of Janaushadhi Kendras

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses.
In 2015, an existing ‘Jan Aushadhi Scheme’ was revamped as ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana’ and in November, 2016, to give further impetus to the scheme, it was again renamed as “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana”.
PMBJP stores have been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.
Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) is the implementing agency for PMBJP.

Objectives of PMBJP

Making quality medicines available at affordable prices for all, particularly the poor and disadvantaged, through exclusive outlets “Jan Aushadhi Kendras”, to reduce out of pocket expenses in healthcare.
Create awareness among the public regarding generic medicines.
Create demand for generic medicines through medical practitioners.
Create awareness through education and awareness programs that high price need not be synonymous with high quality.

State Governments or any organization / reputed NGOs / Trusts / Private hospitals / Charitable institutions / Doctors / Unemployed pharmacists/ individual entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for new Jan Aushadhi stores.
The applicants shall have to employ one B Pharma / D Pharma degree holder as Pharmacist in their proposed store.
They can be set up at any suitable place within Government hospital or Private hospital premises or anywhere outside the premises.

Number of Janaushadhi Kendras under Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has increased by 100 times in the last eight years.
There are nine thousand functional kendras across the country as compared to 80 kendras in 2014-15.
With a vision to provide quality medicines at an affordable rate to the common man especially the poor, the Government has set a target to increase the number of janaushadhi kendras to 10 thousand by March 2024.

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