Context;
The Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare has inaugurated a credit assistance program for Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAK), with the objective of improving access to affordable medicines throughout India.
Relevance:
GS II: Government policies and Interventions
Dimensions of the Article:
- Credit Assistance Program for Jan Aushadhi Kendras
- About Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras
Credit Assistance Program for Jan Aushadhi Kendras
The Credit Assistance Program for Jan Aushadhi Kendras is a government initiative aimed at supporting operators/entrepreneurs managing Jan Aushadhi Kendras throughout the country.
- Objective: The program aims to provide credit/loan assistance to individuals operating Jan Aushadhi Kendras, facilitating their establishment and maintenance.
- Utilization of Resources: It utilizes both Goods and Services Tax (GST) and India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to offer unsecured working capital loans to small businesses.
- Benefits for Operators: Through this program, operators can access unsecured working capital loans and infrastructure funding to establish and maintain their Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
- Overall Goals: The program aims to empower small entrepreneurs, improve the accessibility of affordable medicines, and strengthen the healthcare ecosystem in India.
About Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras:
- Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras are established under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, which was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in November 2008.
- The objective of these Kendras is to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to all individuals, particularly the economically disadvantaged, in order to reduce healthcare expenses.
- Jan Aushadhi Kendras offer generic drugs that are equivalent in quality and efficacy to expensive branded drugs but are available at lower prices.
- In addition to generic medicines, Jan Aushadhi stores also sell allied medical products commonly found in chemist shops, which helps improve the viability of running the Kendra.
- The Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, with the support of all the Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) to coordinate the procurement, supply, and marketing of generic drugs through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
- An incentive amount of Rs. 5 lakh is provided to set up a Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra.
Who can open a Jan Aushadhi Kendra?
- State Governments, organizations, reputed NGOs, trusts, private hospitals,
- charitable institutions, doctors, unemployed pharmacists, and individual entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for opening a new Jan Aushadhi Kendra.
- Applicants are required to employ a pharmacist holding a degree in B Pharma or D Pharma in their proposed store.
Benefits of Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs):
- Cost Reduction: JAKs have significantly lowered healthcare costs for many individuals, leading to a decrease in out-of-pocket expenditure.
- Savings for Citizens: Indian citizens have collectively saved over Rs. 28,000 crores over the last decade by purchasing medicines from Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
- Improved Accessibility: JAKs have enhanced the availability of essential medicines in underserved areas, ensuring better access to healthcare resources.
- High Footfall: Approximately 10 to 12 lakh people visit JAKs daily, indicating their widespread popularity and accessibility.
- Information and Counselling: JAKs offer information and counselling on the appropriate use of medicines, contributing to the reduction of misuse and overuse, and promoting responsible medication practices.
