• Following Mauritius, Nepal has now reached out to India to establish Janaushadhi Kendras in the country.

• This initiative aims to provide Nepali citizens with access to affordable generic medicines produced in India.

• Mauritius was the first country to adopt the Janaushadhi scheme, allowing it to procure around 250 high-quality medicines from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India.

• In the 2022-23 fiscal year, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India reported sales of Rs 1,235.95 crore, resulting in approximately Rs 7,416 crore savings for citizens. 

• For the current financial year up to November 30, 2023, sales reached Rs 935.25 crore, leading to around Rs 4,680 crore in savings. Over the past nine years, total savings amounted to roughly Rs 23,000 crore.

What are Janaushadhi Kendras?

• Janaushadhi Kendras are a government initiative aimed at offering affordable and high-quality medicines to the public.

• These kendras function under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme, managed by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

• The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a key central government initiative providing quality generic medicines at affordable prices through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK), with over 10,000 outlets in India.

• Implemented by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India, an autonomous society under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, the scheme aims to reduce consumer/patient expenses and promote generic medicines by offering affordable quality medicines and surgical items.

Objectives of the scheme:

• To popularise generic medicines among the masses and dispel the prevalent notion that low priced generic medicines are of inferior quality or are less effective.

• The PMBJP product range includes 1,965 medicines and 293 surgical equipment, covering major therapeutic categories like anti-infectives, anti-diabetics, cardiovasculars, anti-cancers, and gastrointestinal medicines. In 2023, as many as 206 medicines and 13 surgical items were added.

• Generate employment by engaging individual entrepreneurs in the opening of Janaushadhi Kendras.

Benefits of Janaushadhi Kendras:

• Increased affordability of medicines: Janaushadhi Kendras have significantly lowered healthcare costs for many individuals, reducing out-of-pocket expenses.

• Collective savings: Indian citizens have saved over Rs 28,000 crore in the past decade by buying medicines from Janaushadhi Kendras.

• Improved access to medicines: Janaushadhi Kendras have enhanced the availability of essential medicines, particularly in underserved areas.

• Daily visits: Approximately 10 to 12 lakh people visit Janaushadhi Kendras every day.

• Promotion of rational medicine use: Janaushadhi Kendras offer information and counseling on the proper use of medicines, helping to prevent misuse and overuse.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)