All You Need to Know About Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a unique scheme launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India with an intent to provide quality medicines at affordable charges to the common public of the country. Under this scheme, exclusive outlets also known as “janaushadhi kendras” are established nationwide to supply low-cost medicines and surgical items. There are 10000 “janaushadhi kendras” running across the country and there are 1965 variety of drugs and 293 types of surgical items available in these stores. This scheme is executed by a society registered under the Societies Registration Act such as Pharma and Medical Bureau of India (PMBI).

Significant Features of Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

1. PMBJP provides all generic medicines that are enlisted under the National List of Enlisted Medicines (NLEM) except the lab reagents.
2. Prices of Janaushadhi medicines are 50%-90% cheaper as compared to branded drugs available in the market.
3. To ensure the quality of the products, medicines to the janaushadhi kendras are only procured from the World Health Organization- Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP).
4. Further, each drug batch is National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) certified.
5. To expand the product basket, various health food products and ayurvedic products are launched apart from the availability of medicines and surgical apparatus covering groups such as Cardiovascular, Anti-cancer, Anti-diabetics, Anti-allergic, Anti-infectives, Gastrointestinal, and Nutraceuticals, etc.
6. Ayush-64 tablets as immunity boosters, Ayush Raksha Kit, Bal Raksha Kit, and several nutraceutical products like protein powder, malt-based food supplements etc. are made available at the Janaushadhi Kendras
7. To ensure optimum care regarding women’s health and hygiene, the scheme has launched Janaushadhi Suvidha Oxo biodegradable sanitary Napkins on 27th August 2019. These napkins are available at 10,000 Janaushadhi Kendras across the country at a nominal cost of ? 1/- per napkin. 
8. Further in August 2019, Jan Aushadhi Sugam Mobile application is also launched with various user-friendly features such as to locate the nearby Janaushadhi Kendra, compare the prices of generic medicines available at Janaushadhi kendras vs branded medicines, the generic medicines available at the kendras, savings on the medicines and so on.
9. Promotions and campaigns are organized at regular intervals to ensure awareness amongst the public through various media platforms namely print, television, outdoor and social media.
10. An integrated approach has been adopted by the Government along with the state government to spread awareness about PMBJP.
11. An end-to-end supply chain management system is introduced to ensure an advanced supply chain of medicines and surgical equipment. PMBJP has four warehouses in Gurugam Guwahati, Surat, and Chennai covering the north, east, west and southern parts of India respectively. Additionally, two more warehouses are to be opened depending on the demand.
12. There is a strong network of 36 distributors under this scheme.

How to Open a Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK)?

• Eligibility Criteria of the Applicants:
  1. Individual Applicants should have D. Pharma/B.Pharma degrees or they should employ D. Pharma/B.Pharma degree holders in their respective PMBJK’s. They should produce proof of the same during submission of their application or at the time of final approval.
  2. Any NGO or organizations applying, should employ D. Pharma/B.Pharma degree holders in their respective PMBJK’s. They should also produce proof of the same while submitting their applications or at the time of final approval.
  3. For PMBJK’s inside the Govt. hospital premises or medical colleges, any reputed NGOs or charitable organizations would be preferred. However, individuals who have a recommendation from the hospital authorities are also eligible to apply.
• Margin and Incentive Scheme of PMBJK
  1. The incentive offered to the kendra owners has been raised from ? 2.50 lakh to up to ? 5 lakh ar 15% of monthly purchases made, subjected to an upper limit of ?15,000 per month.
  2. A one-time incentive of ? 2 lakh is given to the PMBJKs for IT and infra expenses, opened in Himalayan territories, North-eastern states, Islands and Backward zones as aspirational districts by Niti Aayog, opened by Women Entrepreneurs, SC’s, ST’s, Ex-servicemen, and Divyang.
• Other Requirements for Opening a PMBJK
  1. Min 120sq ft of owned or hired space duly supported by all necessary documents.
  2. Proof of a registered pharmacist with the state council.
  3. Applicants falling under the categories such as Women Entrepreneurs, SC’s, ST’s, Ex-servicemen, and Divyang and any applicants under the backward zones identified by the Niti Ayog in Himalayan territories, North-eastern states, Islands, etc. should submit the documents to get the benefits as ascertained by the scheme.
  4. Applicants should follow the distance policy for applying for the new PMBJK.

To know more visit: https://janaushadhi.gov.in/online_registration.aspx

This scheme ensures access to quality medicines to all sections of the population, especially to those falling under the low-income category. It will also dissolve the myth that quality medicines are high-priced, besides making everyone aware of the range of generic medicines through education, promotions and publicities. It unlocks a scope of employment as the government also welcomes evolving entrepreneurs and common people to open janaushadi kendras in their locality so that every corner of India can get medicinal benefit.