Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana’ is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. Of India, to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through special kendra’s known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) have been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.

Generic medicines are unbranded medicines which are equally safe and having the same efficacy as that of branded medicines in terms of their therapeutic value. The prices of generic medicines are much cheaper than their branded equivalent.

BPPI (Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India) has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs for co-coordinating procurement, supply and marketing of generic drugs through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMBJK).

The quality, safety and efficacy of medicines are ensured by getting each batch of medicines procured from CPSUs as well as private suppliers tested from NABL approved laboratories and conforming to the required standards before the same are supplied to Super stockists /PMBJK’s from the Warehouse of BPPI.

The generic drugs are having the same efficacy and therapeutic value as that of branded medicines.

The cost of generic medicines having the same quality as that of branded medicines is much cheaper than their branded equivalent.

The endeavour of BPPI is to make available all therapeutic medicines from PMBJK’s. A list of medicines with their MRP which are presently available are given under the heading “Price List of PMBJP medicines” on website: janaushadhi.gov.in. More medicines are being added to this list.

More than 850 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kednra’s are presently functional spread over 28 States/UTs. List of State-wise / District-wise JAS along with their locations are available under the heading “PMBJK” of the website of Jan Aushadhi.

The normal working hours of JAS are 8 Am to 8 PM.

OTC products can be purchased by any individual without a prescription. A prescription from a registered medical practitioner is necessary for purchase of schedule drugs.

Earlier, only medicines manufactured by CPSUs were being supplied to Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra. Since CPSUs are not able to make supply of all the medicines proposed to be supplied to PMBJK, procurement of medicines which the CPSUs are not able to supply are being made from the private manufacturers. These medicines after getting tested from empanelled NABL Laboratories and sent to PMBJK through Super stockists/CEF agent/Distributors appointed by BPPI.

The main objective of the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is to open maximum number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) in the country. Under the Jan Aushadhi Scheme, the State Governments are required to provide space in Government Hospital premises or any other suitable locations for the running of the Jan Aushadhi Kendra. PMBJK may also be opened by any Government agencies in any Government building owned by Government bodies like Railways/ State Transport Department/ Urban Local Bodies/Panchayati Raj Institutions/ Post Offices/ Defense/ PSUs etc. Any NGOs/ Charitable Society/Institution /Self help Group/Individual Entrepreneurs/Pharmacist/Doctor can also open the Jan Aushadhi Kendra at outside of the hospital premises or any other suitable place. BPPI have simplified the application format so that a common man can easily fill up the same. Besides above, the application fee of Rs. 2000/- which was charged earlier have been waived of to make the scheme popular. Financial support to Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras: An amount of Rs.2.5 lakhs shall be extended to NGOs/agencies/individuals establishing JAK in government hospital premises where space is provided free of cost by Govt. to operating agency: Rs. 1 lakh reimbursement of furniture and fixtures Rs. 1 lakh by way of free medicines in the beginning Rs. 0.50 lakh as reimbursement for computer, internet, printer, scanner, etc JAK run by private entrepreneurs / pharmacists / NGOs / Charitable organizations that are linked with BPPI headquarters through internet shall be extended an incentive up to Rs. 2.5 lakhs. This will be given @ 15% of monthly sales subject to a ceiling of Rs. 10,000/- per month up to a limit of Rs. 2.5 lakhs. In NE states, i.e. naxal affected areas and tribal areas, the rate of incentive will be 15% and subject to monthly ceiling of Rs. 15,000 and total limit of Rs. 2.5 lakhs. For SC/ST and differently abled persons applied in individual category shall be benefited with free medicines worth of Rs. 50,000/- to set up their Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra in the beginning. Remaining amount i.e. Rs. 2.00 lakhs will be given in the form of incentive, as per above norms. Trade margin to retailers and distributors: Trade margins have been revised from 16% to 20% for Retailers and from 8% to 10% for Distributors.

(a) Own space or hired space duly supported by proper lease agreement;
(b) Minimum required space conforming to standards as approved by the BPPI i.e. 120 sq. ft.
(c) Sale license from competent authority (Retail drug license in the name of the applicant and/or Tin No.);
(d) Proof of securing a pharmacist with computer knowledge (name of the pharmacist , Registration with the State Council etc. needs to be furnished)

BPPI writes to all the State Governments with a request to open Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra in their states. The State Government, Department of Health would make recommendations in favour of the operating agency who would run the Kendra and also instruct the District Hospital Authority to provide the minimum space conforming to standards as approved by BPPI in the Hospital premises. The location of the Kendra should be at such a place which is easily accessible to the OPD patients, preferably at the entry of the hospital & given to the agency free of cost. The State Government needs to issue suitable instructions to the Hospitals/ Doctors for prescribing generic medicines. Other entities may approach BPPI either on the basis of advertisement issued by BPPI or suomoto with a complete application along with the supporting documents mentioned at sl. no 13 above. An agreement is to be entered into between BPPI and the operating agency before the JAS starts functioning and BPPI makes arrangements for dispatch of medicines. For detailed procedure, please visit our website: janaushadhi.gov.in

An amount of Rs.2.5 lakhs shall be extended to NGOs/agencies/individuals establishing JAK in government hospital premises where space is provided free of cost by Govt. to operating agency: Rs. 1 lakh reimbursement of furniture and fixtures Rs. 1 lakh by way of free medicines in the beginning Rs. 0.50 lakh as reimbursement for computer, internet, printer, scanner, etc JAK run by private entrepreneurs / pharmacists / NGOs / Charitable organizations that are linked with BPPI headquarters through internet shall be extended an incentive up to Rs. 2.5 lakhs. This will be given @ 15% of monthly sales subject to a ceiling of Rs. 10,000/- per month up to a limit of Rs. 2.5 lakhs. In NE states, i.e. naxal affected areas and tribal areas, the rate of incentive will be 15% and subject to monthly ceiling of Rs. 15,000 and total limit of Rs. 2.5 lakhs. For SC/ST and differently abled persons applied in individual category shall be benefited with free medicines worth of Rs. 50,000/- to set up their Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra in the beginning. Remaining amount i.e. Rs. 2.00 lakhs will be given in the form of incentive, as per above norms.