Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in 2008 under the name Jan Aushadi Campaign. PMBJP stores have been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs. 

Though India has 7500+ Jan Aushadi Kendras, they is marred by poor implementation, operational and supply chain issues, lack of product range, quality issues & corruption.  Further, doctors in collaboration with the pharma industry, prescribe branded medicines so that they can make a profit from those industries.

The government is also not taking steps to promote generic medicines. Awareness is not created among the people about the scheme and stores opened under it. Further, black-marketing and unavailability of essential drugs paralysed the economically weaker section during Covid-19. 

We propose the following amendments: 

1. The medicines procured and dispensed by the Government healthcare system  should be mandated to be only Jan Aushadhi medicines unless the specific medicine being recommended is not available under Jan Aushadhi. 
2. Increase the size and variety of the product basket basket so that essential medicines are available and there is less scope for the branded players
3. Increase in publicity, esp. in the government hospitals so that needy knows of the scheme
4. Transparent and efficient Quality checks for the medicines and display of the same on the kendra. 
5. Inclusion of emergency drugs & equipments such as Hydroxychloroquine, oxymeters in the product basket so that needy can afford these items.

Petition by students of IIM Ahmedabad:

1. Annu Bansal

2. Debolina Saha

3. Monisha Goyal