Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers Ananthkumar informed that the scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)’ is creating a Silent Revolution in achieving Health Security by providing Affordable, Quality Medicines for All.
‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana’ is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. Of India, to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through special kendra’s known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) 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.
Objectives of the scheme:
Making quality medicines available at affordable prices for all, particularly the poor and disadvantaged, through exclusive outlets “Jan Aushadhi Medical Store”, so as to reduce out of pocket expenses in healthcare.
Vision:
To bring down the healthcare budget of every citizen of India through providing Quality generic Medicines at Affordable Prices.
Mission:
1. Create awareness among public regarding generic medicines.
2. Create demand for generic medicines through medical practioners.
3. Create awareness through education and awareness program that high price need not be synonymous with high quality.
4. Provide all the commonly used generic medicines covering all the therapeutic groups.
5. Provide all the related health care products too under the scheme.
What is a Generic Medicine?
Generic medicines are unbranded medicines which are equally safe and having the same efficacy as that of branded medicines in terms of their therapeutic value. The prices of generic medicines are much cheaper than their branded equivalent. The cost of generic medicines having the same quality as that of branded medicines is much cheaper than their branded equivalent.
Implementation Agency for PMBJP:
BPPI (Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India), under the administrative control of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals& Fertilizers, Government of India will be the implementation agency for the PMJAY.
BPPI has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, with the support of all the Pharma CPSUs for coordinating procurement, supply and marketing of generic drugs through the Jan Aushadhi stores. In April 2010, BPPI got registered as an independent society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 as a separate legal entity. BPPI follows the provisions of GFR 2005 and CVC guidelines as amended from time to time and also instructions from the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
Key features of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP):
1. State Governments or any organization / reputed NGOs / Trusts / Private hospitals / Charitable institutions / Doctors / Unemployed pharmacist/ individual entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for new Jan Aushadhi stores.
2. The applicants shall have to employ one B Pharma / D Pharma degree holder as Pharmacist in their proposed store.
3. Applications shall be submitted to BPPI either online or offline.
4. Jan Aushadhi stores can be located within Government hospital premises as well as Private hospital premises or anywhere outside.
5. In addition to medicines and surgical items supplied by BPPI, Jan Aushadhi stores will be allowed to sell allied medical products commonly sold in chemist shops so as to improve the viability of running the Jan Aushadhi store.
6. BPPI shall source the medicines both from Pharma PSUs as well as from Private companies. However, PSUs would have the first right to supply the products that they manufacture in their plants. BPPI shall ensure that private manufactures are only reputed organisations by incorporating strict terms and conditions in the tender specifications.
7. Tendering for medicines shall be only through e tendering. All the tendering process shall be completely transparent giving equal opportunity for all the participants.
8. BPPI shall establish a Central Ware House, C&F agents at different locations and Distributors in all the States/UTs.
9. On receipt of goods at their central ware house, BPPI shall draw samples and sent them to NABL accredited laboratories for inspection. Only after receipt of quality certification from the inspecting laboratories, goods shall be dispatched to C&F agents and Distributors.
10. BPPI shall plan and undertake suitable media activities so as to spread the message of generic medicines and to achieve the objectives of the PMBJP.
11. Financial support to applicants: An amount of Rs.2.5 lakhs shall be extended to NGOs/agencies/individuals establishing Jan Aushadhi stores in Government hospital premises where space is provided free of cost by Government to operating agency: Rs. 1 lakh reimbursement of furniture and fixtures Rs. 1 lakh by way of free medicines in the beginning Rs. 0.50 lakh as reimbursement for computer and peripherals, internet, etc. For the Jan Aushadhi stores established anywhere else by private entrepreneurs / institutions / NGOs / Trusts / Charitable organizations which are linked with BPPI headquarters through internet shall be extended an incentive up to Rs. 2.5 lakhs. This will be given @ 15% of monthly sales subject to a ceiling of Rs. 10,000/- per month up to a limit of Rs. 2.5 lakhs. In north easternStates, i.e. naxal affected areas and tribal areas, the rate of incentive will be 15% and subject to monthly ceiling of Rs. 15,000 and total limit of Rs. 2.5 lakhs.
12. 20% trade margin shall be included in MRPfor retailers and 10% for distributors.
13. Jan Aushadhi stores and Distributors will be allowed 2% of total sales or actual loss, whichever is lower, as compensation against expiry of medicines. Expired goods need not be returned to BPPI. Stocks expiring at the C&F level will entirely be the loss of BPPI.
14. Credit facility will be given to all Jan Aushadhi stores for 30 days against postdated cheques. Distributors will also get credit of 60 days againstpostdated cheques. C&F agencies will have to deposit a security amount depending upon the business.
15. BPPI shall arrange suitable training program for the entrepreneurs who do not have any experience in running medicine shops.
16. Institutions / Charitable organisations / NGOs who are procuring medicines for own consumption / free distribution to poor and needy will be allowed to procure medicines from BPPI CFA agents.
17. Jan Aushadhi medicines will be sold through “Mobile Jan Aushadhi Vans” after all requisite approvals are obtained.
Jan Aushadhi scheme ahead:
The endeavor of BPPI is to make available at Jan Aushadhi Stores all the commonly used generic drugs covering all the therapeutic groups. In the coming years, Jan Aushadhi scheme shall provide the complete spectrum of Health care products and services, starting from making available all the generic drugs covering all the therapeutic groups.Product basket to contain 1000 items by March 2017 and to include stents and replacements.
India is the World’s Pharmacy and our Pharma sector is growing at a pace of 20-21% and India is exporting quality generic medicines to 215 countries.
In order to encourage doctors to prescribe generic medicines, the MCI had amended the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 on 08th October 2016 advising the use of generic name of drugs in doctor’s prescription.