Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

Why Was Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Introduced

In India, the cost of medicine can be just as catastrophic for a low-income family as hospitalisation is. Be it a cancer patient on chemotherapy, a dialysis patient, or a heart patient on lifetime medications, these recurrent costs burn family reserves. Even families with health insurance cover like the PMJAY scheme, the Atal Amrit Abhiyan or the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) pay an extremely high or unfair price for medicines even after being discharged from hospitalisation.

The PMBJP directly tackles this by providing quality-assured generic medicines at 50-90 per cent off to ensure post-hospitalisation medication cost doesn’t throw families back into debt trap.

Under Nikshay Poshan Yojana, TB patients receive Rs 1,000 a month in nutritional assistance during their treatment, while Janaushadhi Kendras maintain reasonable price points throughout. Pregnant mothers availing of the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) may avail themselves of medicines post-delivery at an affordable price at Janaushadhi Kendras. For a one-time critical illness which requires beyond the sum assured under schemes, Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) offers a financial support up to Rs 15 lakh to be availed at a government super-specialty hospital.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana- Key Highlights

Who Can Access Janaushadhi Kendras

There's no eligibility criteria involved in PMBJP unlike most health schemes, it is for everyone in India:

• Medicines can be bought by any one who has a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner from any Janaushadhi Kendra.
• No need for BPL certificate, ration card or income proof
• No registration or enrollment needed
• For everyone- BPL families, APL families, the elderly and those who need to get affordable medicines.

The scheme is especially useful for people in rural areas who cannot access branded medicines or have to pay a high price for them, people with chronic illnesses who have to take medication for a long time and senior citizens.

How to Find and Access a Janaushadhi Kendra

• Go to janaushadhi.gov.in to check out the official site.
• Click on "Locate Kendra" or "Store Locator".
• Fill in your state, district and pincode to get the location of a Janaushadhi Kendra near you.
• Go to Kendra with your doctor's prescription.
• Make the prescription and dispense the necessary generic drugs at prescribed rates.

The Janaushadhi Sugam mobile application is also available in the Google Play Store and beneficiaries are able to find the nearest Kendra, search for medicines available in that Kendra, and check the prices before they visit the Kendra.

Documents Required for Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

There is no need to buy medicines from any Janaushadhi Kendra with any documents. For a hassle-free experience though, pack the following:

• Prescription medicines – must have a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner
• Aadhaar card - helpful if you have a link with your ABHA ID card to access digital prescriptions.
• Digital prescriptions attached to health profile- ABHA card (access).

What Does PMBJP Provide

Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card under PMJAY, a special annual cover of 5 lakh is available under Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card under PMJAY for citizens above the age of 70 years for hospitalisation. If a family member has Autism, Cerebral Palsy or multiple disabilities then Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme for children will help ensure them comprehensive medical insurance. Under Mission Vatsalya children can get free medicines at Janaushadhi Kendras.

How to Open a Janaushadhi Kendra

Janaushadhi Kendra is opened by citizens, NGOs, hospitals, or organisations by applying for it.

• Click on janaushadhi.gov.in and then go to the "Apply for Kendra" section.
• Complete the application form with personal, location and infrastructure information
• Provide all necessary paperwork such as ID and address proof, and your pharmacy license.
• PMBI evaluates the application and verifies.
• On approval a one-time financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for furniture & fixtures and Rs 1 lakh for computer & peripherals (PMBI) is given to the applicant.
• PMBI supplies stock on credit (no up-front stock payment is required)

Preference will be given to those belonging to SC/ST, ex-servicemen and differently abled persons and women entrepreneurs.

PMBJP and Other State Schemes

PMBJP is collaborating with state run health schemes to enable the access of medicines PMBJP is linked with state led schemes like Gopalabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) of Odisha, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) of Maharashtra, Swasthya Sathi Scheme of West Bengal and Rajiv Aarogyasri scheme of Telangana. Hence beneficiaries of these schemes can also avail medicines from JanAushadhi Kendras for post discharge, outpatient use at affordable prices. Similarly beneficiaries of Chirayu Ayushman Haryana and Mukh Mantri Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana of Punjab may utilize services from Janaushadhi Kendras for availing medicines at their State.

Helpline and Support for PMBJP

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana makes quality assured and generic medicines available at an affordable price to every citizen of India irrespective of their income, place of residence and even their health insurance status. PMBJP directly alleviates the OOP medicine burden of millions of families as there are 10,000+ Janaushadhi Kendras, 2,000+ medicines at 50-90% lower prices and no eligibility criteria. PMBJP is a key component in India's low-cost healthcare system, complemented by Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PMJAY) for hospitalisation, Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi for eye-care, and Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card for senior citizens who require costly services. Link your ABHA card at abdm.gov.in and visit janaushadhi.gov.in or call at 1800-180-8080 to know the nearest Janaushadhi Kendra.