The Department of Pharmaceuticals is celebrating the 5th Jan Aushadhi Diwas on 7th March 2023. Events have been planned in different cities starting from 1st March 2023 to 7th March 2023 which will focus on awareness about the Jan Aushadhi Scheme. Seminars, Programs for children, women and NGO’s, Heritage walks, Health camps and many other activities engaging PMBJKs owners, Beneficiaries, State/UT officials, Public Representatives, Doctors, Health Workers, Nurses, Pharmacists and Jan Aushadhi Mitra’s are bring organised at different locations across the country covering all State/UTs. This will generate awareness about the usages of generic medicines and benefits of Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana and its salient features and achievements.

Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) is all set to make this event successful under the guidance and support of Union Minister, Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers and New & Renewable Energy, Bhagwant Khuba, Press Information Bureau (PIB) and Senior Officers of Department of Pharmaceuticals.

With an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India in November, 2008. As on 31st January, 2023, the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) has increased to 9082. Under the PMBJP, 743 districts out of 764 districts of the nation have been covered.

This scheme ensures easy reach of affordable medicine to the people in every nook and corner of the country. The Government has set a target to increase the number of PMBJKs to 10000 by the end of December 2023. Product basket of PMBJP comprises 1759 drugs and 280 surgical instruments. Further, new medicines and nutraceuticals products like protein powder, malt-based food supplements, protein bar, immunity bar, sanitizer, masks, glucometer, oximeter, etc. have been also launched.

Medicines available under PMBJP are priced 50%-90% less than that of branded prices. During the financial year (2021-22), PMBJP has achieved sales of Rs. 893.56 crores (at MRP). This has led to savings of approximately Rs. 5360 crores of the common citizens of the country. In the current financial year i.e. 2022-23 till 15.02.2023, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of PMBJP has made sales of more than Rs. 1000 Crore which has further led to savings of approximately Rs. 6000 crores to the citizens. At present three IT enabled warehouses of PMBJP are functional at Gurugram, Chennai & Guwahati and Surat. Further, 36 distributors have been appointed across the country to support the supply of medicines to remote and rural areas.

In last 8 years, PMBJP has achieved a tremendous growth and unbeatable success due to quality medicines being available at cheaper cost to the people of the nation. It has drastically cut down the out of the pocket expenditure of the lower- and middle-class people of India. This has saved more than Rs. 20000 crores of citizens on cost of medicines. This wider acceptance of people has given PMBJP further impetus to enhance its outreach in every corner of the country.