Bhupinder Kumar reviews functioning of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras across J&K

JAMMU, December 13: Secretary Health and Medical Education, Bhupinder Kumar, today reviewed the functioning of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJAK) across Jammu and Kashmir.

Secretary said that the objective of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is to provide safe, efficacious and quality medicines at an affordable price to reduce out of pocket expenditure on healthcare. He impressed upon the Healthcare Practitioners to generate prescriptions in generic names for benefit of common masses through this noble initiative.

State Drugs Controller highlighted the status of 264 Jan Aushadhi Kendra’s including 188 in government sector and 76 in  private sector  kendras operational in J&K.

It was informed in the meeting that Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is an initiative of Union Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through dedicated outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK).

In J&K, 264 Jan Aushadhi Kendra’s are providing nearly 821 molecules which are available at 50-90% lower price as compared to the market. Since, April, 2023 to 30th October, 2023 (07 Months) medicines worth Rs 30.62 crore have been dispensed from these stores which inter-alia indicates that end users have been benefited to the tune of Rs. Rs 183.72 crore. The Union Territory of  Jammu & Kashmir has registered an increase of nearly 25% in sale of medicines for the same period as compared to the last year.

Secretary directed to ensure 24×7 functioning of Jan Aushadhi kendras especially in secondary and tertiary level public health institutions besides availability of all categories of drugs and molecules in these kendras. He stressed upon the participants to hold periodic review of this scheme and take appropriate corrective measures   to ensure that the objectives enshrined therein are accomplished to the entire satisfaction of stakeholders particularly end users who are struggling to negotiate the ever increasing expenditure incurred towards medical treatment.

Among others the meeting was attended by Principals Government Medical Colleges, Director Health Services, State Drugs Controller, J&K (Nodal Officer, PMBJAK) J&K, and representatives from PMBI and CMOs.