Session on Affordable Medicines for All - PMBJP and SAIP Collab

Access to affordable, quality healthcare is a fundamental human right, and a critical aspect of this is the availability of cost-effective medicines. On May 19th, 2023, a thought-provoking session on "Affordable Medicines for All" was organized by the Madhya Pradesh Price Monitoring and Resource Unit (MP PMRU) in collaboration with the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Pharmacy (SAIP), Indore.

This event offered a platform to discuss the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) - a government-led initiative aimed at ensuring access to affordable, quality medicines.

Held at SAIP campus at SAIT, Indore, the event was convened by Mr. Yash Bhandari, Ms. Sonam Chaturvedi, and Mrs. Neha Upadhyay. It was a two-hour session, attended by 94 participants, including students, faculty, non-teaching staff, and external participants.

Dr. Preeti Tagde, the Project Coordinator of MP PMRU, and Shri Shobhit Koshta, Deputy Drugs Controller, FDA, Bhopal, M.P., led the session with a primary objective to demystify the concept of affordable medicines and familiarize attendees with the PMBJP initiative.

Understanding the Generic Medicine Scheme - PMBJP

Dr. Tagde commenced the session with a detailed introduction to the generic medicine scheme - PMBJP, an initiative launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India. This scheme aims to provide quality medicines at affordable prices through special outlets known as Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

The PMBJP has shown significant growth over the years, increasing the number of Kendras from a mere 80 in 2014 to over 9000 in 2023, covering nearly all districts of India. The initiative is having a considerable impact, particularly on the lives of the economically disadvantaged, assuring them of the quality of generic medicines.

This session debunked the misconception that high price is synonymous with quality, Dr. Tagde explained how the PMBJP ensures that all sections of the population, especially the impoverished and deprived, have access to quality, affordable medicines.

Impact & Feedback

The session was hailed as highly interactive and enlightening by the attendees. It provided a deep understanding of how the PMBJP functions and its benefits to the common people. One attendee, Ms. Veena Gour, praised the session for its ability to clarify the concept of PMBJP and its utility to the populace.

The discussion also highlighted the role of MP PMRU in ensuring the quality and availability of medicines, an aspect that Ms. Kiran Verma found particularly insightful.

The session ended with Shri Shobhit Koshta elaborating on the process of option for a Jan Aushadhi Kendra, thus empowering the attendees to take further steps towards accessible healthcare.

Concluding Thoughts

The "Affordable Medicines for All" session served as an informative and engaging platform for discussing one of the most critical aspects of healthcare - the availability of quality, affordable medication. By bringing awareness and understanding to the attendees about the PMBJP initiative and the role of MP PMRU, the event underscored the commitment of the Government of India to make healthcare accessible and affordable for all.

The success of this session underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in driving awareness about such impactful initiatives. By debunking misconceptions and spreading knowledge, sessions like these can potentially change lives by providing the means to affordable healthcare, thus making the promise of "Affordable Medicines for All" a tangible reality.

Ensuring universal health coverage is a mammoth task, but with initiatives like the PMBJP and the continuous efforts to educate and spread awareness, India is taking strides towards a future where no citizen is deprived of their fundamental right to health due to economic constraints.

This event stands as a testament to the power of knowledge dissemination and collaborative effort in the quest for universal health coverage.