New Delhi (NVI): To facilitate medicine procurement during the lockdown, many Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK) are accepting orders on WhatsApp and e-mail, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said today.
On the basis of uploaded prescriptions, medicines are delivered at the doorsteps of the patients through these kendras, the ministry said in a statement, adding that this novel move is ensuring use of technology for facilitating easier procurement of medicines by the users.
Complementing PMBJKs for the initiative, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers DV Sadananda Gowda said, “it is heartening to note that many PMBJKs are using modern communication tools including social media platforms like Whatsapp to provide better services in effecting faster delivery of essential medicines to the needy.”
PMBJKs are working under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana ( PMBJP). At present there are over 6,300 such units functioning in 726 districts of the country ensuring supply of quality medicines at affordable prices.
These medicines are cheaper by about 50 per cent to 90 per cent on an average. In April 2020 around 52 crore rupees worth of medicine have been supplied throughout the country, the ministry said.
In addition to this, supply arrangements with India Post has also been made for supply to remotely located stores, it added.
To ensure free flow and supply of medicines, Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals has paid its vendors within due date for solving their working capital issues for raw material & logistics.
The ministry, in its statement further said that a dedicated team has been created of BPPI officers for every state to sort out bottlenecks in supply due to lockdown and helpline numbers of BPPI are also working to resolve any issues of consumers and store owners.
Apart from this, Jan Aushadhi warehouses are working at full capacity and inhouse residential arrangements have been made
for staff, the ministry said.
“For maintaining supply of essential Medicines during lockdown period, BPPI has issued purchase orders for 178 fast-moving medicines in the month of April having MRP of Rs 186.52 crore,” the ministry added.
