The Janaushadhi Diwas also known as Generic Medicine Day, is annually observed across India on 7th March, the last day of the Janaushadhi Diwas Week (1st March to 7th March). The day aims to disseminate the endeavors of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana(PMBJP), an initiative by Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, to┬аprovide quality medicine at affordable price.
- The 3rd Janaushadhi Diwas was observed on 7th March 2021 under the theme тАЬSeva bhi – Rozgar bhiтАЭ.┬а
- The First Janaushadhi Diwas was observed on 7th March 2019.
Janaushadhi Diwas Week:
First week of March (1st March to 7th March) is annually observed as the Janaushadhi Week and the last day of the week 7th March is Celebrated as тАШJanaushadhi DiwasтАЩ.
Week long events of Janaushadhi Diwas Week:
Day 1: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras has organised more than 1000 Health Checkup Camps across the country to create general awareness about the price benefits and quality of medicine.
Day 2: Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), Jan Aushadhi Mitra and Jan Aushadhi Kendra owners collaborated with hospitals to host Jan Aushadhi Paricharcha to promote the┬аobjectives of PMBJP.
Day 3: Awareness programmes under the theme тАШTeach Them YoungтАЩ were organised at Schools, colleges and institutions to create awareness about Jan Aushadhi and Entrepreneurial opportunities offered by PMBJP.
Jan Aushadhi medicines are cheaper by 50% to 90% of average market price.
Day 4: The 4th Day of the week is observed under the theme тАЬSuvidha Se SammanтАЭ.┬а Camp to educate the female students about the usage of Sanitary pads.
Day 5: The 5th Day of the week is observed under the theme тАЬJan Aushadhi ka SathтАЭ.
The programme was organised to reach out to the senior citizens and create awareness about the availability of the generic medicines at the Jan Aushadhi kendras across India.
Day 6: Awareness events like bike rallies, padyatra and human chain activities were organized to create awareness about the┬аefficacy and potency of the generic medicines.
Day 7: On тАЬ3rd Janaushadhi Diwas 2021тАЭ the last day of the Janaushadhi Diwas Week 2021, Prime Minister Naredra Modi addressed the nation and interacted with the beneficiaries of PMBJP over a virtual platform.
He also dedicated the 7500th Janaushadhi Kendra at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Science(NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, Meghalaya.
Key People:
Union Ministers D. V. Sadananda Gowda, Mansukh Mandaviya, Anurag Thakur, Chief Ministers Jai Ram Thakur(Himachal Pradesh), Conrad K Sangma(Meghalaya), Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong(Meghalaya) and Nitinbhai Patel(Gujarat) were present on the occasion.
About Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana(PMBJP):
The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana(PMBJP) was launched by the government of India in 2008. The Scheme was first proposed to be implemented during the 11th Five Year plan (2008- 2012).
Objective of the Yojana:
To ensure the availability of quality medicine at affordable prices for all including poor and disadvantaged through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras┬аand to reduce the pocket expenses in healthcare.
Nodal Agency:
- Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.
- BPPI procures medicines only from the World Health Organization тАУ Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers.
Highlights:
As of 5th March 2021, the PMBJB has made sales of products worth Rs. 593.84 crores (at MRP). This has saved around Rs.3600 crores of the general public of India.
About BPPI:
CEO– Sachin Kumar Singh
Head Office– New Delhi
