Lok Sabha Question No. 243 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-21
Subject: Promotion of JAKs
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 243 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  July, 2023

## Promotion of JAKs

## 243. SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT:

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

(a) whether the Government has any plan to promote Janaushadhi Kendras (JAKs) among the people since the cost of medicines available in such outlets are priced 50 to 90 percent less than the branded medicines, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the measures taken to ensure that Government and private medical practitioners prescribe the medicines as per their chemical composition and not by branded names;

(c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the  number  of  Janaushadhi  Kendras  by issuing licences to qualified persons and extending bank loans to ensure that generic medicines are available with much greater ease, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to add more generic medicines and equipment for sale from Janaushadhi Kendras and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

(a):   In  order to  promote of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), the Department  of  Pharmaceuticals  and  Pharmaceuticals  &  Medical  Devices  Bureau  of  India (PMBI), the implementing agency of the Scheme periodically requests State /UT Governments/ district administrations to create awareness about the scheme. PMBI also spreads awareness about the scheme through advertisements in Print Media, Radio, TV, cinema, outdoor publicity as well as through social media.  Further, Jan Aushadhi Diwas is celebrated every year on 7 th March for further dissemination and spreading awareness about the scheme.

(b):  Clause  1.5  of  Indian  Medical  Council  (Professional  Conduct,  Etiquette  and  Ethics) Regulations, 2002 prescribes that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly  and  preferably  in  capital  letters  and  he/she  shall  ensure  that  there  is  a  rational prescription and use of drug. In order to encourage doctors to prescribe generic medicines, the Department of Pharmaceuticals periodically requests the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to direct the Government doctors to prescribe generic medicines only.

(c):  A target to open 10,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by 31.03.2024 has been kept. In order to encourage people for opening the PMBJKs, Government provides an incentive up to Rs. 5.00 lakh @ 15% of monthly purchases made, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 15,000/- per month. In addition, one-time additional incentive of Rs. 2.00 lakh is provided to the Kendras opened in North-Eastern States,  Himalayan  areas,  Island territories  and  backward areas  mentioned as

- aspirational  district  by  NITI  Aayog  or  opened  by  women  entrepreneur,  ex-  serviceman, Divyang and SCs & STs.
- (d): The product basket of PMBJP presently comprises of 1,800 medicines and 285 surgical devices. The same is reviewed periodically by PMBI and new medicines and surgicals are added to the basket.

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