Janaushadhi Diwas 2020 was celebrated on Saturday in Girijananda Chowdhury Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (GIPS) in Guwahati.
It was attended by union tourism minister Prahlad Singh Patel along with and Regional Director of Ministry of Tourism SS Deb Barman.
GIPS is the first Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) approved pharmacy institute to set up a Janaushadhi Kendra in the entire northeast region of India.
Janaushadhi Divas (Generic Medicine Day) is observed every year with an aim to create awareness about the use of generic medicines.
It was celebrated for the first time on March 7, 2019.
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme was announced on July 1, 2015, by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
The prices of high-quality medicines are being reduced by the government below the market price under this scheme.
‘Jan Aushadhi Stores’ has been set up by the government, where generic medicines are being made available.
Benefits of Scheme
- The source of self-employment is also increasing with permanent and regular earning through PMBJP.
- According to a survey conducted by the Bureau of Pharma PSU of India (BPPI), the average sales per store has gone up to Rs 1.50 lakh (including OTC and other products) per store.
- Four major stores have been opened in Delhi, Guwahati, Bangalore, and Chennai, to ensure adequate availability of public health medicines at all PMBJP centres.
- A wide range of affordable quality health products is available in these stores.
- Generic medicines are much cheaper than branded medicines. Many medicines save up to 90 per cent of money. The average price of generic medicines is 40-60 per cent less than branded medicines.