Last Updated on October 17, 2020 by The Health Master
Close on the heels of Union chemicals minister D V Sadananda Gowda’s announcement last week that efforts are being made to increase the number of PMBJKs from the current 6,500 to 10,500 in the country by March 2025, the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) has issued guidelines for opening new Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) in the country.
To download the guidelines, click here
Since the government intends a pan-India expansion, BPPI has noted that the PMBJK will be opened only in selected hospitals and medical colleges identified by the respective state governments in the shortest possible time.
“The premises will be solely used for the purpose it has been allotted. It will not be allowed for sub- letting to undertake any other activity. The Kendra will need 120 sq ft area with sufficient furniture like racks to store the medicines, counter for issue of bill and medicines to the patients, besides computer table and chairs for the working staff,” stated the Bureau in its guidance.
For the proper implementation of the scheme, BPPI would render all possible assistance to the operating agency for running the PMBJK. It would also facilitate the supply of affordable generic medicines, surgical supplies and consumables through a supply chain against the payment of dispatched goods.
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The operating agency will be given 20 per cent margin against the MRP excluding taxes. It will provide a one-time financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh of which Rs. 1 lakh will be for furniture and fixtures, another Rs 1 lakh for free medicines in the beginning and Rs. 50,000 towards reimbursement towards computer, internet, printer, scanner etc.
The number of medicines to be sold at PMBJK will be increased to make the scheme viable, in addition, surgical supplies as per requirement would also be supplied. The Bureau pointed out that it would be the responsibility of the operating entity to obtain drug license in the name of PMBJ Kendra and other permissions to run a drug store.
Compliance to all statutory requirements for storage of drugs needs to be ensured by the operating agency. The norms also stated that the operating agency will run PMBJK according to the conditions in agreement to be signed with BPPI before start of operations.
Now the government has called on pharmacy entrepreneurs to take up the scheme among others. Here the Karnataka State Registered Pharmacists Organisation led by Ashok Swamy raised concerns that the operating agency should be a qualified pharmacist that even though to obtain drug license among others to run a PMBJK.
Expressing apprehensions in a communication to the Union government, KSRPO insisted that there is a need to amend Rule 64(1) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, so as to grant a pharmacy shop license or a wholesale license, only to a firm where a registered pharmacist is the sole proprietor or a managing partner or a managing director.
Replying to Heroor, Dr BPN Prasad, joint drugs controller, CDSCO said that the KSRPO should now approach the state licensing authority and the state pharmacy council to ensure that only registered pharmacists are granted the license for opening a PMBJKendra.
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