Jan Aushadhi Diwas – 7 March

Jan Aushadhi Diwas or Generic Medicine Day is celebrated on 7th March in India every year to spread awareness about the use of generic medicines among the people.

The theme for Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2023 was’“जन औषधि सस्ती भी. अच्छी भी” Jan Aushadhi Diwas Week is organized from 1st March to 7th March 2024.

A week long celebration will create awareness about the use of generic medicines and the benefits of Jan Aushadhi Project. Jan Aushadhi Diwas week celebrations are held from 1st March to 7th March by conducting various activities like Health Checkup Camps, Jan Aushadhi Paricharcha, Teach Them Young, Jan Aushadhi ka sath, etc. across the country.

What are generic medicines

Generic medicines are unbranded medicines. Which are equally safe and beneficial as branded medicines. Generic medicines are much cheaper than branded medicines for medical procedure. The biggest advantage is about the price. Generic medicines are very cheap as compared to branded medicines. Many medicines save up to 90 percent of money. The average price of generic medicines is 40-60 per cent less than that of branded medicines.

The Janaushadhi medicines have played a big role in bringing down the out of pocket expenditure of patients suffering from life threatening diseases in India.

PMBJP

The day create awareness about usages of generic medicines and benefits of Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched in 2008 by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemical & Fertilizers, Government of India. Under this scheme dedicated outlets were opened known as Janaushadhi Kendras that provide generic medicines at affordable price. The main aim of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana was to ensure access to quality medicines for all sections, especially the poor and deprived ones. To create awareness about generic medicines through education and counter the perception that quality comes only at high price.

The endeavor provides quality medicines at affordable prices for all — especially the poor and the disadvantaged through an exclusive outlet named as the ‘Pradhan Mantri Bharitya Janushadhi Kendra’. The medicines are cheaper by 50% to 90% on the average in comparison to the market prices. It is also a good source of self employment with sustainable and regular earnings.

Key Objective of the scheme

To promote greater awareness about cost effective drugs and their prescription.
To make available unbranded quality generic medicines at affordable prices through the public – private partnership.
Encourage doctors, more specifically in government hospital to prescribe generic medicines.
Enable substantial savings in health care more particularly in the case of poor patients and those suffering from chronic ailments requiring long periods of drug use.

Jan Aushadhi Diwas Main Event

The main event “Jan Aushadhi Diwas” will be held on Monday 7th March, 2022 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers will be present on the occasion. On this day, PMBJP Kendras and other stakeholders will interact with students of schools, colleges, pharmacy colleges, medical colleges, etc. to educate them about generic medicines.

Team BPPI, Jan Aushadhi Mitra and Jan Aushadhi Kendra owners reached out to the senior citizens of our society and informed them about the availability of quality generic medicines at affordable prices for all at more than 7400 Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Senior Citizens were informed about the products, specially launched for them, such as Jan Aushadhi Swabhiman Adult Diaper, Jan Aushadhi Glucometer for sugar testing at home, Jan Aushadhi Madhurak stevia natural sweetener, Jan Aushadhi Protein, Jan Aushadhi Poshan, etc. which are available at Jan Aushadhi Kendras at much affordable prices compare to the market.

A good range of many other medicines are also available at these kendras for Blood Pressure and Diabetes which are frequently used by the elderly. Jan Aushadhi Kendras also conducted free health check-up camps and distributed medicines at various locations across the country. New medicines and nutraceutical products like protein powder, barley-based food supplement, protein bars, immunity bars and sanitizers, masks, glucometers, oximeters have been launched. Presently PMBJP’s IT enabled godowns are functional at Gurugram, Chennai and Amp, Guwahati and the fourth warehouse is ready for operation at Surat. 39 distributors have been appointed to assist in the supply of medicines in remote and rural areas across the country.

Events will be organized on this day and the salient features and achievements of the scheme will be discussed. All the programs will be organized under the spirit of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”. All the events organized will have the focus on awareness about Jan Aushadhi Yojana, seminars, participation of children, women and voluntary organizations, heritage walk and health walk and other programs.

In the weeklong celebration Jan Aushadhi Kendras conducted Health Checkup Camps across the country. These health check-up camps included Blood Pressure checkups, Sugar level checkups, free doctor consultation, free medicine distribution, etc. at various Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The general public who visited these health camps were also informed and educated about the price benefits and quality of the medicines being sold at Jan Aushadhi Kendras.