Latest news with #PMBJP
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Govt scheme helps Indians save money on medicines: You can benefit, too
Medicine costs can weigh heavily on household budgets, especially for those managing chronic conditions. But the government says that its scheme is helping Indians manage such costs. Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have helped citizens to save around Rs 38,000 crore in 11 years, according to data presented to Parliament by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. There were 16,912 Jan Aushadhi stores nationwide as of June, providing affordable generic medicines and surgical products, according to a PTI report. What is the Jan Aushadhi scheme? Launched in 2008 and revamped in 2015, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) aims to make quality medicines available at affordable prices. Generic drugs, sold under their chemical name rather than a brand, are said to be just as effective as their branded counterparts. According to PMBJP's website, the scheme covers: -2,110 medicines and 315 surgical products -61 surgical equipment categories -Medicines priced 50-80 per cent lower than popular branded options Health care costs PTI reported, Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, told Rajya Sabha the scheme has helped people to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses on health. According to data from National Health Accounts, such expenses fell from 62.6 per cent of total health expenditure in 2014-15 to 39.4 per cent in 2021-22. The government now plans to expand the network to 25,000 kendras by March 2027. Branded vs Jan Aushadhi: A quick comparison A look at the price list of common medicines shows the steep difference between Jan Aushadhi and branded products: Medicine Name Jan Aushadhi Price (₹) Popular Brand Price (₹) Telmisartan 40mg (BP) 2.26 (per tab) 10–12 Metformin 500mg 1.06 (per tab) 4–6 Atorvastatin 10mg 3.19 (per tab) 7–10 Pantoprazole 40mg 2.20 (per tab) 6–8 Amoxicillin 500mg 1.80 (per cap) 5–7 Paracetamol 500mg 0.7 (per tab) 1-3 Source: Jan Aushadhi price list, 30 July 2025; market rates from pharmacy portals Should you switch? If you're managing long-term health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or acidity, switching to Jan Aushadhi equivalents could lead to monthly savings. However, always consult your doctor before switching brands, as not all formulations may be identical in inactive ingredients or in dosage form.
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
PM Jan Aushadhi Kendra inaugurated in Jamnagar to provide affordable medicines to all
Jamnagar: In a major boost to affordable healthcare in Gujarat, Jamnagar MP Poonamben Maadam inaugurated the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra on Wednesday at Guru Gobind Government Hospital. The event saw the presence of the city's Mayor, BJP leaders, and the District Chief, marking a significant milestone in the region's healthcare infrastructure. The Jan Aushadhi Kendra, part of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), aims to make quality medicines accessible to all, particularly the economically weaker sections, at significantly lower prices. The initiative fulfills Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'quality healthcare for all.' Speaking to IANS, Maadam said, 'We are committed to making healthcare affordable and accessible to the people. This Jan Aushadhi Kendra is a step towards that goal. I urge citizens to buy medicines from here — they are effective, safe, and far more affordable than branded alternatives.' She emphasised that the Jan Aushadhi Kendras offer a wide range of essential medicines, from diabetes care to daily health needs, at reduced prices. Several such Kendras have already been established across Jamnagar city to cater to the local population. Launched in November 2016, the PMBJP is a flagship initiative by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India. The goal is to make high-quality generic medicines available at affordable rates through Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country. These generic alternatives match the quality and efficacy of branded drugs while easing the financial burden on patients. The PMBJP currently offers an impressive product basket of over 2,000 medicines and 300 surgical items, covering a broad range of therapeutic categories. This ensures that citizens can find effective treatments without compromising on quality. The scheme has witnessed exponential growth. As of October 20, 2024, Jan Aushadhi medicine sales for the financial year 2024-25 had already crossed Rs 1,000 crore, a testament to the program's success and public trust. Notably, in September 2024 alone, the sales touched Rs 200 crore. The number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras has skyrocketed from just 80 in 2014 to more than 14,000 today — a 170-fold increase in a decade. This expansion demonstrates the government's unwavering commitment to reaching every corner of India with affordable and reliable healthcare solutions. With growing support from citizens and government alike, the PMBJP continues to transform India's healthcare landscape — one affordable medicine at a time.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Delhi govt opens 33 Arogya Mandirs
Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday announced that the Capital will get more than 1,100 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) by March 2026, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government inaugurated 33 AAMs and 17 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) across the city in a major push to overhaul Delhi's primary healthcare network. Speaking at the citywide launch event, Gupta called the rollout a 'decisive break' from the Mohalla Clinics model of the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regime, which she said were conducting 'fake tests' and were 'centres of corruption'. Speaking at Tis Hazari, Gupta said each of Delhi's 70 constituencies will receive 15 AAMs. 'The central government sanctioned ₹2,400 crore for these facilities in 2020, but the AAP government blocked their implementation out of political ego. A total of 1,139 Arogya Mandirs have been sanctioned in Delhi, and we have to finish the work by March otherwise the funds will lapse. We have just eight months to execute what should have been done over five years,' she said. Gupta described AAMs as a leap forward from Mohalla Clinics. 'These aren't just OPD centres. AAMs will offer comprehensive healthcare under 12 service packages—ranging from maternal and child health to mental healthcare, geriatric support, and management of chronic diseases like TB, leprosy, and diabetes,' she said, adding that lab tests, preventive care, and national health programme support will also be available in-house. Launched in 2015, Mohalla Clinics were conceived by the AAP as free, walk-in neighbourhood facilities offering basic healthcare and medicines. But since taking power, the BJP has dismantled the network, alleging they were 'hotspots of corruption,' with inflated billing, missing medicines, and misuse of public funds. 'Wherever AAMs come up, Mohalla Clinics will be shut down,' Gupta said. 'People deserve a better, more reliable healthcare system.' In her speech, she lambasted the earlier model. 'Mohalla Clinics were just porta cabins set up on pavements. Health officers were paid ₹40 per patient, incentivising inflated bills over actual care. Many clinics became shelters for stray animals and addicts. Outsourced testing and rent payments became avenues for siphoning off public money.' The new AAMs, officials said, will feature permanent infrastructure, qualified staff, and digital health records. In addition to healthcare services, the 17 new JAKs opened on Tuesday will provide generic medicines and surgical supplies at 50-80% below market rates under the PMBJP scheme. Gupta said these centres will eventually be expanded to all government hospitals in Delhi, providing financial relief to patients and employment to entrepreneurs. Tuesday's launch was conducted via a coordinated blitz across the city. While Gupta inaugurated the Tis Hazari facility, cabinet ministers, MPs, and MLAs held parallel events in their constituencies. Health minister Dr Pankaj Singh opened a centre in Vikaspuri, while cabinet colleagues Parvesh Verma, Kapil Mishra, and Ashish Sood launched facilities at Babar Road, Khajuri Khas, and Janakpuri, respectively. South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri inaugurated the Tughlaqabad centre, and North East MP Manoj Tiwari was present in Yamuna Vihar. Health minister Pankaj Singh said access to quality health care and cleanliness is the fundamental right of every Delhiite. 'Our government is ensuring that this right becomes a reality. There will be no longer need to visit large hospitals for basic treatments. Medical tests and medicines will now be available easily and without delay,' he said. He also said that AAMs will offer OPD services from 8am to 2pm every day except Sunday. Minister Verma said: 'Within 100 days, 33 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and 17 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been inaugurated. This proves the resolve of the Central Government and the working power of the Delhi government.' The launch was targetted by the AAP. AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the BJP of rebranding AAP's work. 'They're repainting Mohalla Clinics and calling them AAMs,' he said, citing the Chirag Delhi dispensary as an example. 'It was inaugurated by AAP in 2017. The BJP simply slapped a new name on the board. They haven't built anything new.' Bharadwaj alleged the BJP's narrative was 'an exercise in daily lies,' adding, 'The people of Delhi know who built these clinics. The BJP is hijacking our work and selling it back as its own.' CM, meanwhile, blamed the AAP government for 'deliberately' avoiding opening Jan Ayshadhi Kendra due to political considerations. 'The new government has decided to establish these centres in all government hospitals, and 17 centers were inaugurated today in 17 hospitals. These Kendras will operate under the PMBJP and offer affordable, quality medicines, medical equipment, and surgical items at prices 50% to 80% lower than market rates. This initiative not only offers financial relief to patients but also creates employment opportunities for entrepreneurs,' said CM Gupta. Gupta stressed her government is committed to long-term capacity building. 'We are working towards a target of three hospital beds per 1,000 citizens in Delhi. Today, that number is just 0.42,' she said.
New Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Every penny given to the Centre by Tamil Nadu returned, says BJP leader Annamalai
COIMBATORE: Former president of Tamil Nadu BJP, K Annamalai, on Thursday said the two schemes – Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam and Muthalvar Marundhagam – introduced by the TN government in competition with the central government's Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma scheme and Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Periyojana (PMBJP) have utterly failed. He said the Muthalvar Marundhagam scheme has failed to attract people and also affected the supply chain of the PMBJP scheme. He was speaking to the media in Coimbatore after releasing a book detailing the BJP government's electoral promises and its accomplishments. The book launch was part of the celebration of 11 years of the BJP rule at the centre. Stating that the BJP has transparently shared information about its promises, Annamalai criticised the DMK government for failing to fulfill at least 50 of its 512 electoral promises, even after completing four years of its rule in TN. He highlighted that TN has contributed Rs 4,36,136 crore to the central government over the last four years, while the total transfer from the centre to TN has been Rs 5,47,380 crore. 'Every penny given to the centre from the state has been returned. We will share the data, and the state government can verify it,' Annamalai said.
Hans India
05-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
AB-PMJAY, Jan Aushadhi Kendras boosting healthcare for middle class in last 11 years
New Delhi: Flagship scheme like the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and the Jan Aushadhi Kendras under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has significantly enhanced healthcare for middle class in the last 11 years, according to an official statement issued on Thursday. 'Healthcare in India has seen a quiet but far-reaching shift in the last eleven years. Through a blend of targeted public schemes and digital reach, the Government has made quality healthcare both affordable and accessible for millions, especially the middle class,' the statement said. With more than 41.02 crore Ayushman Cards created in 33 States and Union Territories, as of May 30, AB-PMJAY has emerged as one of the world's largest publicly funded health assurance schemes. The scheme has enabled 8.59 crore hospital admissions worth Rs 1,19,858 crore, ensuring access to secondary and tertiary care without pushing families into debt, the statement said. Further, with the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras rising to 16,469, as of May 30, from just 80 in 2014, the PMBJP brought essential medicines within reach of the common citizen. These outlets offer medicines that cost 50 to 80 per cent less than branded options, with strict quality standards ensured through WHO-GMP certified suppliers. The scheme serves around 10 to 12 lakh people daily, and cumulative savings over the last eleven years are estimated to be more than Rs 38,000 crore, the statement said. The product range now includes 2,110 medicines, including for chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, and 315 surgical products, covering all major treatments, cutting down financial stress for millions of families, especially the middle class. 'From free hospitalisation for senior citizens to low-cost medicines available nationwide, people today have better control over their health expenses. The digital backbone supporting these schemes has made enrolment, access, and tracking easier than ever. This change has allowed the middle class to benefit from savings on medicines, timely treatment, and greater medical security without bureaucratic hassles,' the statement said. 'Over the past eleven years, the government has shown unwavering commitment to uplifting the middle class in meaningful ways. The policies and reforms introduced have not only eased everyday challenges but also strengthened financial security, housing, healthcare, and skill development,' it added.
