Generic drugs and PMBJP

• With the increasing incidence of heart diseases, diabetes and other diseases, Jan Aushadhi Kendras have reported a 170 fold higher increase in the sales of medicines over the last nine years.
• According to a report, medicines to treat gastric issues, diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, and pain have seen the highest sales at the Jan Aushadhi Kendras, under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)scheme.

ABOUT PMBJP

• PMBJP was launched by Department of Pharmaceuticals in 2008 with objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to people.
• Nodal Ministry- Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
• Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), erstwhile Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is implementing agency of PMBJP.

• Medicines available under scheme are priced 50-90% less than branded medicines.
  • Generic drug has exactly same active ingredient as the brand name drug and yields same therapeutic effect.
• They are sold at a cheaper price because the manufacturers do not have to work on R&D or conduct clinical trials.
• National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories perform quality assurance testing on all medications purchased under this programme.

Under Patents Act, 2005- Generic versions of patented drugs will be permitted to be manufactured and exported under a Compulsory License (CL) to meet major health needs of underdeveloped countries.