Commemorating ‘Jan Aushadhi Diwas,’ Rajya Sabha MP from Nagaland, S Phangnon Konyak, visited the Jan Aushadhi Kendra at the District Hospital, Mon, on Friday
S Phangnon Konyak interacting with the beneficiaries of Jan
Aushadhi Kendra in Mon town on the occasion of Jan Aushadhi Diwas on Friday.
DIMAPUR — Commemorating
‘Jan Aushadhi Diwas,’ Rajya Sabha MP from Nagaland, S Phangnon Konyak, visited
the Jan Aushadhi Kendra at the District Hospital, Mon, on Friday and interacted
with department officials to get a ground report on the functioning of the
Kendra.
The MP also engaged with beneficiaries and encouraged them
to avail the benefits of affordable generic medicines and hygiene products
provided under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
An update from the press secretary to the MP stated that Jan
Aushadhi Kendras (JAK) are part of the PMBJP, launched by the Department of
Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, to make quality
medicines available at 50% to 80% lower prices compared to branded medicines.
In addition to essential medications, the government-run pharmacies also provide
affordable sanitary napkins, ensuring women’s access to quality hygiene
products.
To further promote affordable healthcare, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi declared March 7 as Jan Aushadhi Diwas across India. It mentioned
that as of February 28, 2025, a total of 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are
operational across the country, offering 2,047 medicines and 300 surgical and
consumable items at subsidised rates.
The MP urged the public to spread awareness about the
crucial government initiative through social media and other platforms to
ensure that more people benefit from the availability of high-quality, low-cost
medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Kohima district observes Jan Aushadhi
Khrielievi Chüsi and officials from the Health department
along with the participants during the Jan Aushadhi Diwas programme at UPHC
Seikhazou in Kohima on Friday.
Department of Health and Family Welfare in Kohima district
observed ‘Jan Aushadhi Diwas’ on Friday at the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima
(NHAK) and at UPHC Seikhazou with Neikhozo Soukhrie, chairperson of Kohima
Municipal Council (KMC), and Khrielievi Chüsi, KMC member, as the special
guests respectively.
Jan Aushadhi Diwas is observed every year on March 7 to
raise awareness about the scheme and promote the use of generic medicines. It
is aimed at making quality medicine available at affordable prices for all
particularly the poor and disadvantaged through exclusive outlets “Jan Aushadhi
Medical Store” so as to reduce out-of-pocket expenses in healthcare, an update
from the office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Kohima, stated.
In September 2015, the Jan Aushadhi Scheme was revamped as
‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana’ (PMJAY) and in November 2016 it was again
renamed as “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana” (PMBJP) to give
further impetus to the scheme.
It was to create awareness among public regarding generic
medicines through medical practitioners and enable substantial savings in
healthcare more particularly in the case of poor patients and those suffering
from chronic ailments requiring long periods of drug use.
