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In a bold initiative to provide generic drugs at affordable prices to the masses, the Department of Pharmaceuticals had launched the Jan Aushadhi project in November, 2008 when it opened the first Jan Aushadhi store at Amritsar in Punjab. Prices of medicines sold through these Jan Aushadhi stores are cheaper at least by 50 per cent and in some cases medicines are cheaper by 80-90 per cent of the market price of branded medicines. Unfortunately, the scheme never really took-off in the initial years as there were vested interests even within the government who did not really want the scheme to go ahead due to intense pressure from the industry. As a result, the project dragged on for several years, and the target of opening at least 100 stores every year in various parts of the country was never achieved as the government could open only a couple of hundred stores in the first 7 years. The scheme got a new lease of life when the new government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only saw it as a vehicle to provide affordable generic medicines but also an employment avenue for thousands of small entrepreneurs. The scheme was then revamped and rechristened as Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in 2016. Since then, the project has been gaining momentum and the number of stores has steadily been increasing across the country. Presently, there are more than 16,000 JAKs located in 773 districts and the government has now set an ambitious target of opening 25,000 Kendras across the country by March 31, 2026. The product basket currently comprises more than 2000 medicines and 300 surgical and medical consumables, growing from 900 medicines and 154 surgical and medical consumables in 2019-20.
No doubt, the PMBJP is cruising towards new heights as more and more people are resorting to generic drugs instead of the branded medicines which are costlier by several times. But, the meteoric growth of the project in its wake has brought some unethical trade practices by some of these stores. There are reports that some of these stores are selling branded medicines also. Recently, the Karnataka Pharma Retailers & Distributors Organization (KPRDO) has expressed concerns over the Janaushadhi Kendras in the state selling other branded generic medicines in blatant violation of clause 2.4 of the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) agreement. PMBI is the implementing agency of PMBJP. In its communication to the Union government, the KPRDO has stated that despite being dedicated outlets for selling only Janaushadhi medicines, most of the exclusive Janaushadhi Kendras are selling other branded generics medicines. There are allegations that when Janaushadhi Kendras sell approved PMBI drugs they issue sales bills but when they sell other cheaper branded generic medicines, they avoid giving sales bills which is a major concern, because if medicines become substandard or not of standard quality (NSQ), patients will not have proof of purchase. Also, some people with vested interest are selling cheaper branded generic medicines for more profit and some outlets have made their own distribution channel to procure cheaper branded generic medicines and sell them to general public at a higher cost than PMBI medicines. It is a fact that the concept of Janaushadhi Kendras is to supply and sale of quality medicines from the PMBI basket at affordable prices to needy peoples and also create jobs for registered pharmacists. The government should intervene in the matter to end this kind of unethical practices by the Janaushadi Kentras. Otherwise, the very purpose of launching this Project will be defeated. u
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