534 Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras functioning in 26 States/UTs

With a view to achieving the objective of making available quality medicines at affordable prices, the Government has been taking several regulatory and fiscal measures from time to time. In order to provide further relief to the common man in the area of healthcare, a countrywide campaign for ensuring availability of quality generic medicines at affordable prices to all, in the name of Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY) has been started. As on date, there are 534 Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMJAK) functioning over 26 States/UTs. The PMJAY is being implemented by the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI).

The Medical Council of India has amended the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 on 08 October 2016 to provide a new para 1.5 regarding use of generic names of drugs which provides as under:

Every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs.

As on date, 226 Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMJAK) have been opened in State run hospitals, Medical Colleges and other Government hospitals.

Indian Medical Association and Indian Medical Council are supporting PMJAY to promote the use of generic medicines. Medical Council of India has amended the code to promote the use of generic medicines.

Generic version of each medicine is available in the market except patented medicines. The Government companies which are manufacturing generic medicines are : Indian Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL), Rajasthan Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Limited (RDPL), Hindustan Antibitoics Limited (HAL), Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Limited (KAPL) and Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited (BCPL).

BPPI is buying generic medicines from private companies also through open tendering process for Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana. Presently, more than 100 private manufacturers are providing generic medicines to Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY).

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