CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Objectives : 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.

Detailed explanation-2: -8. How many Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendras have been opened and what are their locations? More than 8604 are currently functional. List of State-wise / District-wise PMBJK’s along with their locations are available under the heading “PMBJP => PMBJP Kendra” of the website of PMBI.

Detailed explanation-3: -’Ensuring availability of quality medicines at affordable prices to all’ has been the key objective of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India. Hence, the Department has decided to launch a nation-wide campaign viz. ‘Jan Aushadhi’ as a direct market intervention strategy.

Detailed explanation-4: -It was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in November 2008 under the name Jan Aushadi Campaign. Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) is the implementation agency for PMBJP.

Detailed explanation-5: -PMBJP Features The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals is involved in coordinating, procuring, supplying and marketing generic medicines through PMBJK. The procured generic medicines are sold at 50% to 90% lesser prices as compared to the market prices of branded medicines.