Why in news:

• State Drug Controller has recently urged upon the doctors to prescribe more generic medicines to patients so that poor may get affordable medicines.
• The controller said this while maintaining that the generic medicines available at Jan Aushadhi Kendras across Jammu and Kashmir are not less than the branded drugs in quality and efficacy,

Key Highlights:

• The Drug Controller was speaking during a Jan Aushadhi Mitra Sammelan organized at Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, where she was invited as chief guest.
• Dr Renu Sharma, Director Health Services Jammu was the guest of honour on the occasion.
• The programme was organized by Drugs and Food Organization J&K in coordination with Directorate of Health Services, Jammu.
• Speaking on the occasion, the Drug Controller informed that the prime objective of the Jan Aushadhi Kendras is to provide access to affordable medicines to the poor so that they may not lose their lives due to lack of medicines.
• She reiterated that the Jan Aushadhi medicines are of equitable quality, purity and strength as are branded medicines and at the same time their prices are very low.
• On the occasion, doctors and Drug Control Officers took a pledge that the Jan Aushadhi scheme objective should percolate to masses to lessen their expenditure on medicines.
• Doctors was also impressed upon to prescribe medicine available at Jan Aushadhi Kendras as it will benefit more marginalized and underprivileged families.

Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

• Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through special kendras known as Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendra.
• Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendra (PMBJPK) have been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.
• BPPI (Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India) has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs for co-ordinating procurement, supply and marketing of generic drugs through Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendra