Lok Sabha Question No. 272 (STARRED), answered on 2024-08-09
Subject: Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Selvam G

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

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 272

TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH  AUGUST, 2024

## Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Tamil Nadu

## *272 Shri Selvam G:

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

- (a) the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) functioning in the State of Tamil Nadu;
- (b) whether the Government has set any mechanism to assess the medicines supplied through JAKs and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that many of the medicines supplied through JAKs are substandard and if so, the corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard;
- (d) whether it is a fact that many poor people belonging to SC/ST and other weaker sections are not aware about the facility provided in JAKs; and
- (e) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to launch awareness campaign among people about the same?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

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

## Statement  referred  to  in  reply  to  the  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  Q.NO.  272  (12 TH POSITION) for answer on 09.08.2024 raised by Shri Selvam G regarding Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Tamil Nadu

(a): Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), 1156 Janaushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened till 31.07.2024 in the state of Tamil Nadu .

(b) & (c): Medicines supplied under PMBJP are procured from World Health Organization Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers only, for ensuring quality of the products.  Each batch of drugs, after its receipt at the warehouses, is tested at laboratories accredited by 'National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories' (NABL). Only after passing the quality tests, the medicines are dispatched to Jan Aushadhi  Kendras.  Any  batch  not  meeting  the  quality  parameters  is  returned  back  to  the supplier. Only quality medicines are supplied through JAKs.

(d)  &  (e):  Pharmaceuticals  &  Medical  Devices  Bureau  of  India  (PMBI),  the  implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana is spreading awareness about the features of PMBJP and benefits of Jan Aushadhi generic medicines through various types of advertisements  such  as  Print  Media,  Radio  advertisements,  TV  advertisements,  Cinema Advertisements  and  Outdoor  publicity  like  Hoardings,  Bus  Queue  Shelter  branding,  Bus branding, Auto wrapping, etc. In addition to this, PMBI is also educating the public about the benefits of Jan Aushadhi generic medicines through social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc. regularly.

Furthermore, PMBI is also educating citizens of the country about the benefits of Jan Aushadhi  generic  medicines  by  organizing  Jan  Aushadhi  Diwas  every  year  on  7 th March. Workshops and seminars are organized during various event celebrations such as Azadi Ka Amrit  Mahotsav,  National  Unity  Day  week,  etc.  to  educate  the  consumers  about  PMBJP Scheme.

The  sales  of  medicines  and  other  items  sold  through  Jan  Aushadhi  Kendras  has increased from Rs. 7.29 cr. in 2014 to Rs. 1470 cr. by July 2024. Number of JAKs has increased from 80 in 2014 to 13113 till 31.07.2024, which shows the popularity of the Scheme. Over the last 10 years, sale of medicines worth Rs. 5,600 crores have been made through JAKs, which has led to estimated savings of Rs. 30,000 crore to the consumers.

Till 31.07.2024, 912 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened in aspirational districts, which covers backward and SC/ST dominated areas.

*****