In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has rendered essential services to the nation.  All Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs)maintained their operations regularly and made medicines available to citizens.  All manufacturing units who were supplying medicines/surgicals for PMBJKs were instructed to follow all COVID related safety protocols as per directions/ guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and State/ local administration. Further, at the time of receipt of medicines at Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) warehouses, sanitization of inward stock was done regularly.  Also, all COVID related safety protocols were followed at the stores. It was ensured that regular supply of medicines maintained to PMBJKs,in spite of strict lockdown measures.

The sale of medicines from Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) increased during nation wide lockdown. PMBJKshas achieved 60% growth in sales in the 1^st and 2^nd quarters of the Financial Year 2020-2021 as compared to the same period of the previous financial year. During the current financial year, PMBJP has already clocked appreciable sales turnover of Rs. 519.34 Crore as on 29.01.2021, as against the target of Rs. 500 Crore for the whole financial year.

The information was given by the Union Minister for Education Ministry, Shri D. V. Sadananda Gowda in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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MC/KP/AK