The government on Saturday said it plans to increase the number of generic drugs stores, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,000 by March 2024 in order to accelerate the drive to make quality medicines available at affordable prices to all.
Around Rs 18,000 crore has been saved through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in last eight years and the government has deepened the reach of the scheme with more than 9,000 stores covering 743 out of 766 districts across the country, an official statement said.
Medicines which are priced 50 per cent to 90 per cent less than that of branded versions are sold at the PMBJKs with the product basket comprising 1,759 medicines and 280 surgical devices covering all major therapeutic groups such as cardiovascular, anti-cancers, anti-diabetics, anti-infectives, anti-allergic, gastro-intestinal medicines and nutraceuticals, among others.
Launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, in November 2008, PMBJP had achieved the target of opening 3,000 kendras in December 2017. Further, a revised target of 6,000 outlets was also achieved in March 2020.
"In this journey, the number of Kendras have now increased to 9,000 from 8,610 in the last financial year. Hence, the government has deepened the reach of PMBJP with more than 9,000 stores covering 743 out of 766 districts across the country," the statement said.
It further said, "The government has set a target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,000 by March 2024."
In 2021-22, sale of medicines worth Rs 893.56 crore has been done, which has led to savings of about Rs 5,300 crore to the citizens as compared to the branded medicines, it added.
As for the current financial year 2022-23, sales were at Rs 758.69 crore as on till November 30, 2022 which has led to savings of approximately Rs 4,500 crore to the citizens, the statement said.
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said this scheme is also providing a good source of self-employment with sustainable and regular earnings.
Under PMBJP, an incentive of Rs 5 lakh is provided to the Janaushadhi Kendras as financial assistance.
Also, a one-time additional incentive of Rs 2 lakh as reimbursement for IT and infra expenditure is provided to Janaushadhi Kendras opened in North-Eastern states, Himalayan areas, island territories and backward areas mentioned as aspirational district by NITI Aayog or if opened by women entrepreneur, ex-serviceman, divyang, SC and ST, it said.