NEW DELHI : Pantoprazole (40 mg) and Domperidone (30 mg) capsules — a fixed-dose combination drug used for treating acidity-related problems — has emerged as the top selling product at Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country.
India has 9,484 Jan Aushadhi Kendras which sell generic drugs at affordable prices to the public under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
According to sales data of these stores for the last 12 months, an average of 10.8 lakh units (each unit contains 10 capsules) of Pantoprazole (40 mg) and Domperidone (30 mg) capsules were sold at these stores on a monthly basis, the highest of all products sold by them. This was followed by Telmisartan (9.3 lakh units
monthly sales) and Amlodipine (8.5 lakh units monthly sales), which are used to treat high blood pressure.
Ravi Dadhich, CEO, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), told TOI that the generic drugs sold at the Jan Aushadhi Kendras are 50%-90% cheaper than the branded alternatives, which is why more and more people are opting to buy them.
“Of the top 10 best-selling products at the Jan Aushadhi Kendras, 30% are products that are used to treat high blood pressure and diabetes. These are chronic conditions and treatment involves long-term medication. By opting for generic drugs, people can save a lot of money spent on drug purchase,” he said.
The product basket of PMBJP comprises over 1800 drugs and 285 surgical equipment. Dadhich said that to ensure quality of products sold at the stores, all drugs are procured from World Health Organisation – Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers. “Each batch of drug after its receipt at the warehouses is tested at laboratories accredited by ‘National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories’ (NABL) for ensuring best quality,” the PMBI CEO said.
The major therapeutic group of medicines available at the stores are: antibiotics and anti-infectives; cancer drugs; cardiovascular drugs; and vitamins and minerals among others. In 2019, the government also started selling sanitary napkins at Rs 1 per pad.
In 2014-15, there were only 80 Jan Aushadhi Kendras and their sales value stood at around Rs 7.29 crore.
