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Medicines Affordable for the Masses in India: Critical Vexes
Subject area: Management and Commerce · Area of research: Business
Abstract
Making medicines of reliable quality at affordable prices to the large population has been a challenge in India since long. This paper is about two initiatives taken recently in this direction: PMBJP and AMRIT Retail Pharmacy. We have analysed these schemes in this paper and enquired about issues with them and possible solutions. PMBJP was launched initially in 2008 and later revived in 2015. As on 31.01.2024, 10607 Janaushadhi Kendras were functional across the country. AMRIT retail pharmacy network offers drugs, implants, surgical disposables and other consumables at high discounts. It aims at affordable and reliable pharmacy service in public sector. The first outlet was started on 15th November 2015 at AIIMS New Delhi. Presently there are 225 AMRIT Pharmacies selling more than 5200 drugs. Beneath the surface, the schemes are grappling with deep-rooted implementation challenges, corruption, unethical practices and private pharma invasion threatening to compromise its noble objectives. These have left the marginalised population including retired individuals or those facing income-related issues still burdened with exorbitant medical expenses and compromised health.
Keywords
Janaushadhi Kendras, AMRIT, PMBJP, Generics, Reference Product, Marginalised Population, Electoral Bonds Issue, Progressive Socialism
References
[1] PMBJP Scheme, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (janaushadhi.gov.in), https://janaushadhi.gov.in/aboutbppi.aspx accessed on 03.04.2024.
[2] (HLL Lifecare - Amrit (lifecarehll.com), HLL Lifecare Ltd., Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, https://www.lifecarehll.com/page/render/reference/Amrit_Retail_Pharmacy_Stores_ accessed on 03.04.2024.
[3] The Pioneer (27 March, 2024), Amrit Pharmacy in AIIMS complex raided. Raipur ed.
[4] Jagran News, 23 Nov 2023, गोरखपुर एम्स में मरीजों की जान से खिलवाड़! रोगी को बेच दिया एक्सपायर इंसुलिन; फार्मेसी संचालक के खिलाफ दी गई तहरीर - Police complaint against Amrit Pharmacy of Gorakhpur AIIMS for selling expired insulin to patient (jagran.com) https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/gorakhpur-city-police-complaint-against-amrit-pharmacy-of-gorakhpur-aiims-for-selling-expired-insulin-to-patient-23587243.html
[5] Agrawal Saksham, The Probe, 25 Jul 2023 Jan Aushadhi's Uphill Battle: Corruption, Unethical Practices and Private Pharma Invasion (theprobe.in) https://theprobe.in/stories/jan-aushadhis-uphill-battle-corruption-unethical-practices-and-private-pharma-invasion/
[6] Sarkar P R, 1959, Various Occupations, Human, Society Part 1, AM Publications, Kolkata p. 83.
How to cite this paper
@article{1705664,
author = {Vaishnavi Sharma, Nidhi Sahu, Prof. R P Singh},
title = {Medicines Affordable for the Masses in India: Critical Vexes},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2024},
volume = {7},
number = {10},
pages = {44-48},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1705664.pdf},
abstract = {Making medicines of reliable quality at affordable prices to the large population has been a challenge in India since long. This paper is about two initiatives taken recently in this direction: PMBJP and AMRIT Retail Pharmacy. We have analysed these schemes in this paper and enquired about issues with them and possible solutions. PMBJP was launched initially in 2008 and later revived in 2015. As on 31.01.2024, 10607 Janaushadhi Kendras were functional across the country. AMRIT retail pharmacy network offers drugs, implants, surgical disposables and other consumables at high discounts. It aims at affordable and reliable pharmacy service in public sector. The first outlet was started on 15th November 2015 at AIIMS New Delhi. Presently there are 225 AMRIT Pharmacies selling more than 5200 drugs. Beneath the surface, the schemes are grappling with deep-rooted implementation challenges, corruption, unethical practices and private pharma invasion threatening to compromise its noble objectives. These have left the marginalised population including retired individuals or those facing income-related issues still burdened with exorbitant medical expenses and compromised health.},
keywords = {Janaushadhi Kendras, AMRIT, PMBJP, Generics, Reference Product, Marginalised Population, Electoral Bonds Issue, Progressive Socialism},
month = {April},
}