New Delhi: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), a flagship scheme of the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), has reported a 44 per cent increase in sales of medicines and related products during the month of April, 2024 as compared to a year ago. The total number of medicines in its product basket has grown to over 2,000 and surgical products to 300 during the month.
According to data from DoP, the Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) in the country have reported a total sales at maximum retail price value of Rs. 138.46 crore in the month of April, 2024, as compared to Rs. 95.89 crore during the same month of previous year.
The savings to the common man from purchasing medicines from JAKs has grown around 20 per cent to Rs. 692.30 crore in April, 2024, as compared to Rs. 575.34 crore, based on the growth in sales. The growth in the number of JAKs over the period aided the increase in sales and savings to the common man.
The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of PMBJP, has set up 458 new JAKs during the month of April, and the total number of Kendras at the end of April has gone up to 11,719 outlets. The total number of outlets during the same month a year ago was 9,341 Kendras.
The product basket under the PMBJP has also seen an increase from 1,800 medicines and 285 surgical products in April, 2023 to 2047 medicines and 300 surgical products. The expansion of product basket is also ahead of the schedule, since the plans were to enhance the product basket of PMBJP upto 2,000 medicines and 300 surgicals by March, 2025.
The Bureau announced that it has opened more than 10,000 JAKs across the country towards the end of the year 2023, offering over 1,963 generic medicines and 293 surgical equipment and consumables with prices almost 50-90 per cent less than that of branded medicines available in the open market. This was ahead of the target, as the plans were to open 10,000 JAKs by March, 2024.
The Central government also announced in 2023 its plans to increase the number of JAKs in the country from 10,000 to 25,000 by March 31, 2026.
The government also announced that the PMBJP has achieved a target sales of Rs. 1,000 crore during the fiscal year 2023-24 till the first half of December, 2023 and helped to save around Rs. 5,000 crore during the period. In the financial year 2022-23, PMBJP has made sales of Rs. 1,235.95 crore (at MRP), with a growth of 38.3 per cent compared to Rs. 893.56 crore sales during the financial year 2021-22.
Around Rs. 25,000 crore have been saved through the campaign in nine years till 2023, it said. JAKs has a presence in more than 785 districts, it said in December, 2023. PMBJP has further added a number of ayurvedic products in its product basket for immunity boosting and it is easily available at affordable prices for people, it added.
The PMBJP was launched by the Ministry in November, 2008 with an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all.
The steps taken for increasing viability of Kendras include continuous expansion of product basket to provide complete range of medicines for increasing footfall to the Kendras, covering almost all chronic and acute disease conditions, said PMBJP earlier.
State health departments and associated government authorities have been requested to open Jan Aushadhi Stores in various government hospitals by providing rent free spaces to private individuals. The PMBI has also tied up with various organisations including the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) to expand its reach.
To ensure awareness among masses, various media platforms like print, outdoor, TV & social media, etc. are being used regularly. Government is also adopting an integrated approach for spreading awareness about PMBJP with state governments. Promotion workshops are also being organized across India with stores owners, doctors and various important dignitaries, said the DoP.
