Union Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda has launched a mobile app called Jan Aushadhi Sugam, which will enable people to search for Janaushadhi generic medicines and stores.

The app would have user-friendly options to locate nearby Janaushadhi kendra, direction guidance for location of the Janaushadhi kendra through Google Maps, search for Janaushadhi generic medicines, analyse product comparison of generic vs branded medicine in form of MRP and overall savings, etc.

The minister also announced that Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin will now be available at Re 1 per pad.

Mansukh L. Mandaviya, minister of state for chemicals and fertilisers, said that about 28 million girls are reported to be leaving education because of lack of availability of good quality sanitary napkin pads at reasonable cost.

The government launched the Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin at Rs 2.50 per pad on June 4, 2018. Jan Aushadhi Suvidha comes with a special additive, which makes it biodegradable when it comes in contact with oxygen after being discarded. Till July 31, more than 1.30 crore pads have been sold at PMBJP Kendras.

Background

Jan Aushadhi was launched by the government in 2008 for making quality medicines available at affordable prices for all. The campaign was undertaken through the sale of generic medicines through exclusive outlets namely Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendra in various districts of the country.

It was later renamed as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). The scheme is being implemented through a registered society namely Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), which is working under the administrative control of department of pharmaceuticals, ministry of chemicals & fertilisers, government of India.

The product basket of the scheme now covers more than 800 medicines and 154 surgicals and consumables in all major therapeutic categories.

As on November 15, 2018, 4,410 PMBJP Kendras are functional in 35 states and Union territories of the country.

Objectives of the scheme

* Create awareness among the public regarding generic medicines.

* Create demand for generic medicines through medical practitioners.

* Create awareness through education and awareness programme that high price need not be synonymous with high quality.

* Provide all commonly used generic medicines covering all therapeutic groups.

* Provide all related health care products too under the scheme.