Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadi Pariyojana – An Evaluation of Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Mumbai Metropolitan Region

Abstract

Affordable healthcare remains a significant challenge for many low and middle-income countries, with the cost of medicines constituting a substantial portion of patients' expenses. Despite the implementation of various policy changes aimed at addressing this issue, the expenditure on drugs continues to represent a significant proportion of out-of-pocket healthcare costs. In a country like India, where both state and central governments have implemented policies to mitigate this burden, the uptake of generic drugs, which could significantly reduce spending, has not been effectively promoted. The Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is the initiative taken by the Government of India to provide the quality medicines at affordable prices to the poor people. There are very limited studies at present done on the topic of effective implementation of PMBP. So this study is conducted as a Pilot study to to evaluate the effectiveness of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Mumbai region. Objectives of this study to know the awareness of the PMBJP, viability of kendras, challenges and opportunities in running these kendras and know the employment opportunities under the scheme.