956 Jan Aushadhi stores opened so far: Govt

A total of 956 Jan Aushadhi stores have been opened across the country so far to provide quality drugs at affordable prices.
"The number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) in the country under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has increased manifold," Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh L Mandaviya said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
Till March 20, 956 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened as against 82 stores in May 2014, data showed.
The minister said the Centre has amended guidelines so that Jan Aushadhi Kendras may be opened by states or government agencies in any building premises owned by government bodies like Railways/ State Transport Department/ Urban Local Bodies, Panchayti Raj Institutions/ Post Offices/ or Defence/PSUs.

In view of this, he said it is expected that many blocks and gram panchayats may also get covered under the scheme.
"Besides, eligible private applicants can also open the Kendras at a place of their choice," Mandaviya said.
Under the PMBJP, which was launched in 2008, the government provides more than 600 medicines and 150 medical devices through Jan Aushadhi kendras. The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the nodal implementation agency for this programme.