Article · Volume 8, Issue 3 · pp. 134–6
Why the Jan Aushadhi Scheme Has Lost Its Steam in India?
Vijay Thawani1, Abin Mani2, Neeraj Upmanyu3
- 1People’s College of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, People’s University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
- 2Centre for Scientific Research and Development, People’s University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
- 3Dean, School of Pharmacy and Research, People’s University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Abstract
The Jan Aushadhi Scheme (JAS) initiated by the Government of India is a powerful intervention against the unjustifiable pricing of medicines by private pharmaceutical industry, to make the generic medicines available at affordable prices. The marginalized populations of India are not able to afford many branded medicines; hence, there is an urgent need for making the cheaper generics available to Indians in the best interest of populations. It has been observed that lack of awareness in the public, distribution of free medicines by state governments, lack of support for JAS, poor supply chain, and doctors not prescribing generic medicines are the major constraints faced by the JAS leading to its poor success.
Keywords: Cheaper medicines; generic medicines; medicine affordability
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