New Delhi: Union Minister for Health Mansukh Mandaviya Tuesday hailed the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana saying that it has made phenomenal progress in the last 8 years.

The minister also said the Janaushadhi Kendra has become the medicine shop of the poor in the nation.

While talking to mediapersons, the Union Minister claimed that 8,809 Janaushadhi stores operational under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana are providing quality and affordable medicines for every citizen.

Mandaviya said, “In the year 2014, there were around 80 Janaushdhi Kendra in different parts of the country and in the year 2022 Janaushadhi Kendras jumped up to more than 8,800 which is a 100 times increase.”

An official of the Chemical & Fertilizer Ministry told ANI on condition of anonymity that the daily sale of Janaushdhi Kendra is Rs 4 crores and average beneficiaries daily is more than 4.5 lakh people and the monthly sale of Janaushdhi Kendra is more than Rs 100cr and yearly sale was Rs 893 crores in 2021-22 and target for 2022-23 is Rs 1,200 crores.

“Since the year 2019 total savings are estimated at Rs 15,360 crore and no of medicines available at shops are 1616 and 240 surgical and other items. Target for medicines this year (2022-23) will increase upto 1800,” the official told ANI.

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With an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India in November 2008.

Under the scheme, dedicated outlets known as Janaushadhi Kendras are opened to provide generic medicines at affordable prices. As of today, more than 8,800 Janaushadhi Kendras are functional across the country. The product basket of PMBJP comprises more than 1,616 drugs and 240 surgical items.

BPPI (Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India) has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs for co-ordinating procurement, supply and marketing of generic drugs through Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendra.

(With inputs from ANI)