Govt Achieves Target Of Opening 8,300 Jan Aushadhi Kendras Before Deadline; All Districts Now Covered

In a positive development, the government has stated that it has achieved the target of opening 8,300 Jan Aushadhi Kendras for the financial year 2021-22 before the end of the deadline.

"Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has completed the target of opening of 8,300 Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) for the FY 2021-22 before end of September, 2021. All the districts of the country have been covered under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)," said the ministry statement.

An effective IT-enabled logistics and supply-chain systems for ensuring real-time distribution of medicines at all outlets have also been introduced. These stores will ensure easy access of affordable medicine to the people in every part of the country. The centre has set a target to increase the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras to 10,000 to provide quality medicines at an affordable rate to the common man by March 2024.

Product basket of PMBJP presently comprises 1,451 drugs and 240 surgical instruments. Further, new medicines and nutraceutical products like glucometer, protein powder, malt-based food supplements, protein bar, immunity bar, etc. have been launched.

The medicines are procured from World Health Organization - Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers to ensure the quality of the products under the scheme.

All drugs are tested at laboratories accredited by 'National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories' (NABL) before dispatching to the centers. The medicines available under the PMBJP are priced 50 per cent to 90 per cent less than that of branded prices.

"In the wake of COVID 19 crisis, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has been rendering essential services to the nation. The stores remained functional during lockdown and maintained operations as part of their commitment to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential medicines," the statement added.

With IANS Inputs