Guwahati: The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers has launched the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) under which quality generic medicines will be available to all at affordable prices.

The scheme will also provide opportunity for self-employment with sustainable earnings.

Under PMBJP, an incentive of Rs. 5.00 lakh is provided to the Janaushadhi Kendras as financial assistance and one-time additional incentive of Rs. 2 lakh (as reimbursement for IT and infrastructure expenditure) is provided to Jan Aushadhi Kendras opened in Northeastern states, Himalayan areas, island territories and backward areas identified as aspirational districts by NITI Aayog or if opened by Women Entrepreneur, Ex-serviceman, Divyang, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

There are already more than 9,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are functional across the country.

The Centre has set a target to increase the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras to 10,000 by March 2024. The product basket of PMBJP comprises 1759 medicines and 280 surgical devices covering all major therapeutic groups.

With this objective, the government has approved the proposal of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of PMBJP to invite online applications for opening of new Jan Aushadhi Kendras in 651 districts of different States/Union Territories.

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