Jaipur, June 26, 2024.

 As many as 563 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) have started offering affordable medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendra and many more will soon start operating such outlets.

"PACS, operating as Jan Aushadhi Kendras, making affordable and high-quality generic medicines available to people. 563 PACS have commenced operations as JanAushadhiKendras so far," the Ministry of Cooperation said in a social media post.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a flagship scheme of the Department whereby quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all through dedicated outlets.

The scheme is being implemented through the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), an autonomous society under the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

Objectives of the scheme is to make available quality medicines and surgical items at affordable prices for all and thereby reduce out of pocket expenditure of consumers/patients and popularize generic medicines among the masses.

As per the new model byelaws adopted by the Ministry of Cooperation, the scope of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) has been widened beyond their original function of dealing with agricultural credits in the grassroot level.

PACS have been empowered to access many other avenues like opening of Jan AushadhiKendras.

In the first phase, 2,000 Jan AushadhiKendras are planned to be opened through PACS. Opening Jan AushadhiKendras through PACS would strengthen PACS as a cooperative organisation besides expanding the reach of quality and affordable medicines in the country”.

The aim of the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana is to provide good and affordable medicines to the consumers along with providing them employment opportunities.

National Council for Cooperative Training (NCCT), an autonomous society promoted by the Ministry of Cooperation provides training to the PACS for opening of Janaushadi Kendra.

A one-day online Training of Trainers (ToT) on PACS Jan Aushadhi Kendra was conducted on May 28, 2024, for the faculty members of VAMNICOM, RICM, and ICM. The training aimed to provide detailed information about the services and benefits of Jan Aushadhi Kendra. As a result, 64 trainers were trained and benefited from this program.