Faced with the under-performance of the Jan Aushadhi scheme, the government has decided to revamp the scheme. Of the 178 Jan Aushadhi stores that have been opened across the country since the inception of the scheme, only 98 are functional.
According to a PIB release, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers, informed the Rajya Sabha that the scheme is being revisited to expand its reach across the country. Details are being worked out by Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India (BPPI) in consultation with Department of Pharmaceuticals.
The third party evaluation of the scheme done by Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) noted five major reasons for under performance of the scheme. The PHFI report blamed over dependence on support from the state government, poor supply chain management, non-prescription of generic medicines, health policies of central/ state governments-free supply of drugs and lastly, lack of awareness for the present scenario.
Wherever Jan Aushadhi stores have been opened, the concerned state governments have been issuing instructions/ guidelines to doctors in the government hospitals to prescribe generic medicines. Similar instructions are also reported to have been issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to the doctors to prescribe medicines in generic names. In addition, BPPI is engaging Indian Medical Association and other doctors in the initiative.
EP News Bureau – Mumbai
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