Generic drugs for diabetes, gastric issues, cardiovascular ailments see high demand

Subject : Schemes

Concept :

Medicines to treat gastric issues, diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, and pain have seen the highest sales at the Jan Aushadhi Kendras, under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana scheme.
The drugs sold at the Kendras are 50% to 90% cheaper than their branded counterpart.
The Jan Aushadhi Kendras selling generic drugs at affordable prices have seen their sales rise more than 170 times over the last nine years, but the government has no intention of making them available online in the near future.

Generic Drugs

Generic drugs can be defined as affordable versions of branded drugs which are brought into the market once the original drug manufacturer’s patent expires.
These medicines have the same potency, quality, and implications and work in an identical manner as the branded drug. The generic medicines are marketed either by a salt or brand name.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

It is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
It seeks to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through special kendra’s known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra.
Initially launched in 2008, the scheme was rechristened in 2015.
Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementation agency for PMBJP.
The Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) of India works under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers.

Objective of the PMBJP:

To make available quality medicines, consumables and surgical items at affordable prices for all and reduce out of pocket expenditure of consumers/patients.
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.
Generic medicines are unbranded medicines which are equally safe and have the same efficacy as that of branded medicines in terms of their therapeutic value.
To ensure easy availability of the menstrual health services (Janaushadhi ‘Suvidha’ sanitary napkins) to all women across India.
Generate employment by engaging individual entrepreneurs in the opening of PMBJP Kendras.

Janaushadhi Kendra

These are the centres from where quality generic medicines are made available to all.
Bureau of Pharma PSUs in India (BPPI) supports Janaushadhi Kendras as a part of PMBJP.
The Government has set a target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,500 by the end of March 2025.