Jan Aushadhi meaning: PMBJP and its Kendras What the scheme is, who runs it, what a Kendra needs to open, and where a clinic's prescription meets it.

Jan Aushadhi is the common name for Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), a Department of Pharmaceuticals scheme launched in November 2008 to make quality generic medicines available at affordable prices through dedicated outlets called Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras. The outlets are usually called Jan Aushadhi Kendras or Jan Aushadhi stores. They sell medicines and surgical items from the scheme's own product basket.

What is Jan Aushadhi?

A central government scheme with its own supply chain. The scheme website describes PMBJP as "a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in association with Central Pharma Public Sector Undertakings, to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through dedicated outlets". It is run by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), which the site says was "established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs for co-coordinating procurement, supply and marketing of generic drugs".

On quality, the site says medicines are procured "through an open tender system from private manufacturers as well as CPSUs", only from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers, and that each batch is tested at NABL-accredited laboratories before it reaches the Kendras. The normal working hours of a Kendra, per the FAQ, are 8 AM to 8 PM. The toll-free number listed is 1800 180 8080.

Where does the definition come from?

From the scheme's own website, janaushadhi.gov.in. Its objectives text reads: "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." The same site defines a generic medicine as one "marketed under a non-proprietary or approved name rather than a proprietary or brand name".

What it means for a small clinic

The scheme sells by generic name, so the clinic's part is a prescription a Kendra pharmacist can read and match. Take Sunrise Clinic, a sample single-doctor clinic. A patient at the desk asks whether the prescription can be filled at the Kendra near the bus stand. If the doctor has written each medicine by its generic name, clearly and with strength and dosage form, the pharmacist there can look it up in the PMBJP product list. Whether a particular medicine is stocked is for the Kendra to answer; the PMBJP product list on the scheme website is the place to check. The clinic does not need to be part of the scheme for its patients to use a Kendra.

Can a doctor open a Jan Aushadhi Kendra?

The scheme's FAQ lists who can apply: an individual entrepreneur or proprietor, a partnership, a charitable institute or hospital, an NGO, trust or society, a government or government nominated agency, or any other applicant. The requirements it lists are own or leased space, "Sale license from competent authority (Retail drug license in the name of the applicant and/or Tin No.)", "Proof of securing a pharmacist (name of the pharmacist, Registration with the State Council etc. needs to be furnished)", proof of financial capacity, and a drug licence in the name of the Kendra. A doctor considering this should also read clause 6.3 of the 2002 conduct regulations, which says a physician "should not run an open shop for sale of medicine for dispensing prescriptions prescribed by doctors other than himself".