Lok Sabha Question No. 28 (STARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: C.N. Annadurai, Manjulata Mandal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 28 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd  February, 2023

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

## *28. SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI:

## SHRIMATI MANJULATA MANDAL:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has achieved the objective for which Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana was launched;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the corrective steps taken in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government has set a target to increase the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras to 10,000 by next year and if so, the steps taken by the Government to achieve the target;
- (d) whether the Government has decided to invite online applications for opening of new Jan Aushadhi Kendras in different districts and if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard;
- (e) the number of PMBJP kendras opened in the States of Tamil Nadu and Odisha since the inception of this scheme; and
- (f) the quantum of financial assistance provided to Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the States of Tamil Nadu and Odisha during each of last three years, year-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

(Dr. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a)  to (f):        A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (f) of the LOK SABHA STARRED Q.NO. 28  (8 th   POSITION)  for  answer  on  03.02.2023  raised  by  SHRI  C.N.  ANNADURAI, SHRIMATI MANJULATA MANDAL regarding Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

With an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all citizens, especially the poor and the deprived ones, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched by the Government. Under the Scheme, dedicated outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) are opened to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices. As on, 31.12.2022, about 9,000 PMBJKs have been opened across the country.

The product basket of the scheme presently covers about 1,759 medicines and 280 surgicals. The prices of medicines sold through these outlets are generally 50%-90% less than that of prices of the branded medicines available in the open market.

Government has fixed a target to increase the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras to about 10,000 by March, 2024. In order to achieve the target, the  Department  of Pharmaceuticals periodically  requests  the  States/UTs  for  creating  awareness  about  the  scheme  and  to  open PMBJKs in government premises. Further, Pharmaceuticals  & Medical Devices  Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of the Scheme also conducts regular publicity and awareness  campaigns  to  encourage  the  people  to  open  more  Kendras.  PMBI  has  recently invited on-line applications for opening PMBJKs in more than 651 districts covering more than 3,579 blocks.

Out of about 9,000 Kendras opened in the country till 31.12.2022, about 846 Kendras have been opened in the state of Tamil Nadu and 386 Kendras in Odisha.

While no State/UT-wise specific budget allocations are made under the scheme, the details  of  the  total  financial  support  provided  for  implementation  of  the  scheme  by  the government during the last three years is as under: -

|   Sl. No. | Financial Year   | Funds Allocated (Rs. In Cr.)   |
|-----------|------------------|--------------------------------|
|         1 | 2019-20          | 35.51                          |
|         2 | 2020-21          | 65.00                          |
|         3 | 2021-22          | 68.00                          |
|         4 | 2022-23          | 72.50*                         |

* Till 31.01.2023 out of total revised allocation of Rs. 100.00 cr.

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