Question : REVIEW OF JAN AUSHADHI STORES

(a) whether the Government has recently reviewed the functioning of Jan Aushadhi Stores in the country;

(b) if so, the outcome thereof and deficiencies identified in their functioning;

(c) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard;

(d) whether the Government propose to involve private industry/Public-Private Partnership model in popularisation of Jan Aushadhi Scheme (JAS) in the country, and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to educate the public regarding the advantages of purchasing of generic drugs from these medical stores?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a): 178 Jan Aushadhi Stores have been opened across the country since the inception of the scheme in the year 2008 against which only 98 are functional as on 10.3.2015. The scheme is being revisited to expand its reach across the country. Details are being worked out by Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India (BPPI) in consultation with Department of Pharmaceuticals.

(b): The third party evaluation of Public Health Foundation of India noted five major reasons for under performance of Jan Aushadhi Scheme:

(a) Over dependence on support from State Government;

(b) Poor Supply Chain Management;

(c) Non-prescription of Generic Medicines;

(d) Health Policies of Central/State Governments-Free Supply of Drugs.

(e) Lack of awareness.

(c) & (d); The Department is revisiting the scheme plan and formulating a strategic Action Plan 2015 with a paradigm shift to make quality medicines accessible through affordability and availability. The Strategic action plan includes.

(i) New Distribution System: Expansion beyond the exclusive JAS stores in retail markets through retailers and franchisee with signage exclusivity.

(ii) Enlargement of medicines basket,

(iii) Team building with all stakeholders - Prescribers (Doctors), Doctors Associations, Medical Council of India, Chemists & Druggists Association, Consumer Association, State Governments, Regulators and all others by addressing their respective concerns.

(iv) Advocacy and perception management on quality of JAS medicines for brand building.

(v) Strengthening Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India (BPPl).

(vi) improved Supply Chain Management.

(vii) Value Added Services in partnership other service providers - online/home delivery, post offices, co-operatives, insurance agencies etc.

(viii) Recognition of Doctors, Distributors and retailers and NGOs actively engaged in generics.

Under the Strategic Action Plan 2015, a pilot initiative will be launched during 2015-16 to reach out all sections of society with results and will be expanded across the country in the coming 3 years covering all therapeutic groups,

(e): For popularizing and promoting the generic drugs in the country, the Government through its agency - BPPl has been giving publicity from time to time, through print media to generate awareness among general public about the advantages of generic medicines and availability of generic medicines from Jan Aushadhi Stores.