Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Amid lockdown many Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK) under Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers are accepting the orders for medicine on WhatsApp and e-mail and on the basis of uploaded prescriptions medicine are delivered at the doorsteps of the patients.
This novel move is ensuring use of technology for facilitating easier procurement of medicine by the users. Complementing PMBJKs for this initiative, Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said, ” It is heartening to note that many PMBJKs are using modern communication tools including social media plataforms like Whatsapp to provide better services in effecting faster delivery of essential medicine to the needy.”
PMBJKs are working under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana ( PMBJP). At present threre are over 6,300 PMBJKs functioning in 726 districts of the country ensuring supply of quality medicine at affordable prices. These medicine are cheaper by about 50% to 90% on an average. In April 2020, medicine worth around Rs 52 crore were supplied across the country. In addition, supply arrangements with India Post has also been made for supply to remotely located stores, according to a PIB release.
Moreover, Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India(BPPI) under Department of Pharmaceuticals, Union Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, has paid its vendors within due date for solving their working capital issues for raw material and logistics. Dedicated Team has been created of BPPI Officers for every State to sort out bottlenecks in supply due to lockdown. Jan Aushadhi warehouses are working at full capacity and inhouse residential arrangements have been made for staff. Helpline numbers of BPPI is working to resolve any issues of consumers and store owners.
For maintaining supply of essential Medicine during lockdown period, BPPI has issued purchase orders for 178 fast moving medicine in April 2020 having MRP of Rs 186.52 crore.