<span style="color: #222222;">Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India, the implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana PMBJP has completed the target of opening of 8 thousand 3 hundred Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras for the Financial Year 2021-22 before end of last month. All the districts of the country have been covered under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. Effective IT-enabled logistics and supply-chain systems for ensuring real-time distribution of medicines at all outlets have also been introduced.<br />''</span><br />''Product basket of PMBJP presently comprises one thousand 451 drugs and 240 surgical instruments. New medicines and nutraceutical products like glucometer, protein powder, malt-based food supplements, protein bar, immunity bar, have been launched.<br />''<br />''With a vision to provide quality medicines at an affordable rate to the common man especially the poor, the Government has set a target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras to 10 thousand by March 2024. As of yesterday, the number of stores has increased to 8 thousand 355. These kendras will ensure easy access of affordable medicine to the people in every nook and corner of the country.<br />''<br />''At present three warehouses of PMBJP are functional at Gurugram, Chennai and Guwahati and fourth one is under construction at Surat. Further, 37 distributors have been appointed across the country to support the supply of medicines to remote and rural areas.<br />''<br />''Janaushadhi Sugam a mobile application for PMBJP facilitates the public by providing a digital platform at the tip of their fingers.<br />''<br />''Under the Scheme, medicines are procured from World Health Organization – Good Manufacturing Practices WHO-GMP certified suppliers for ensuring the quality of the products. Apart from this, each batch of drug is tested at laboratories accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. Only after passing the quality tests, the medicines are dispatched to PMBJP Kendras. Medicines available under PMBJP are priced 50 per cent to 90 per cent less than that of branded prices. During the financial year 2020-21, PMBJP has achieved sales of over 665 crore rupees at Maximum Retail Price during the last financial year.<br />''<br />''This has led to savings of approximately 4 thousand crore rupees of the common citizens of the country.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">In the wake of COVID 19 crisis, PMBJP has been rendering essential services to the nation. The stores remained functional during lockdown and maintained operations as part of their commitment to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential medicines.</span><br />