Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

Context: Recently PMBJP achieved a significant milestone, with Janaushadhi medicines amounting to ₹1,000 crore sold in the year 2024-25 up to October 2024.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

It was launched by the Union govt. in 2016 to provide affordable quality medicines to the general public.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers (Department of Pharmaceuticals)
Implementing Agency: Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)
Salient Features:
- Generic Medicines: PMBJP focuses on making generic medicines available, which are up to 50%-90% cheaper than branded medicines.
- Janaushadhi Kendras: Special outlets called “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras” are set up to sell these affordable generic drugs. As of now, there are over 9,000 Kendras across India.
- Quality Assurance: Medicines sold under PMBJP are of high quality, tested and certified by government-approved laboratories.

Facts

The share of Government Health Expenditure (GHE) in the GDP has increased from 1.13 % in 2014-15 to 1.84% in 2021-22. (Target – 2.5% of GDP by 2025)
Between 2014-2022, the share of Out of Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) in the Total Health Expenditure declined from 62.6% to 39.4%.
- OOPE refers to the direct payments made by households when accessing healthcare services.
- It excludes those covered by public or private insurance or social protection schemes.