Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri DV Sadananda Gowda launched here today 8 immunity boosting products under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Priyojana (PMBJP) for sale through Janaushadhi Kendras across country.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Gowda informed that the launch of new nutraceuticals today  is significant in view of the Corona-19 pandemic.  These products will help in boosting immunity of the people. He also informed that products are comparable in quality and are cheaper by over 26% than the market price.  He hoped that through the massive network of  Janaushadhi Kendras, the immunity boosting- protein products will reach a large population promoting good health. Shri Gowda further said that Government is also now providing many nutraceuticals like protein supplements, malt-based nutrition drinks, immunity booster etc for improving overall health and nutritional condition of people.

The Minister also informed that around  one million patients visit our 6500 plus stores every day, to purchase quality generic & affordable medicines.  This scheme is becoming a boon for patients who are supposed to take medicines for chronic ailments like diabetes, blood pressure, psychotropic, etc.  He further, said that importance of these Janaushadhi kendras was highlighted by the Prime Minister himself in his Independence Day speech when he  referred to Janaushadhi Kendras selling Sanitary Napkins at Rs.1 per pad under the name of Suvidha Scheme to ensure women menstrual hygiene and for safe periods.  The material which is used in the pad is having oxo-biodegradable properties, thus making it not only affordable, but also environment friendly. He added that though the scheme was launched in 2008, only 99 stores were functional till end of March 2016. The scheme was revamped, as per the vision of the Prime Minister in all aspects like procurement, logistics, IT & opening of kendras in 2017. At present, there are 6587 kendras. 732 districts out of 734 are covered.

On the occasion Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilisers Shri Mansukh Mandaviya said that ratio of generic medicines has now gone up after revamped, Janaushadhi Kendras were launched as per the vision of the Prime Minister. He pointed out the new nutrient based products will help in improving immunity and are thus important during the present  time when Corona pandemic has spread in the country. Shri Mandaviya also informed that the Janaushadhi Kendras have played important role  in providing cheaper but qualiting generic  medicines whose sale and use went up sharply after these Kendras were revamped by the present government.  Secretary Pharmaceutical Dr. P D Vaghela also addressed on the occasion

Details of the Nutraceutical products under PMBJP

Nutraceutical Product Portfolio

	Jan Aushadhi Poshan is a malt-based food fortified with   Vitamin A, D, E, C,   B1,  B2, B6, B12, Iron, Calcium and Folic acid, etc. to support immunity and  growth. It can be taken with milk or water (Hot or cold). 500-gram jar container is priced at Rs. 175/- only whereas average MRP of top 3 branded counterparts is  Rs. 236/-
	Jan Aushadhi Poshan is a malt-based food fortified with Cocoa in granular form, Vitamin A, D, E, C, B1, B2, B6, B12, Iron, Calcium and Folic acid etc. to support immunity and growth. It can be taken with milk or water (Hot or cold). 500-gram jar container is priced at Rs. 180/- only whereas average MRP of branded counterparts is Rs. 243/-.
	Jan Aushadhi Protein Powder is a protein supplement fortified with natural and nature identical flavours (Chocolate / Vanilla / Kesar Pista), whey protein, Milk Solid, Skimmed milk powder, Soya protein isolate, Peanut protein hydrolysate, Malt extract, sugar Cocoa powder (for chocolate flavour), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), Vitamins (Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K,
	Vitamin C, Folic acid, Thiamine (vitamin B1), Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Biotin), Taurine, Choline, Minerals (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Selenium, Molybdenum), etc.
	It is available in attractive tin packing of 250 gram at a price of Rs. 200/- only, whereas average MRP of top 3 branded products available in market is Rs. 380/-.
	Jan Aushadhi Janani is a protein rich supplement to fulfil requirement of extra nutrition in females during pregnancy. It is available in attractive tin packing of 250 gram at a price of Rs. 225/- only whereas average MRP of top 3 branded products available in market is Rs. 300/-.
	Jan Aushadhi Protein Bar is a convenient source of nutrition, in today's busy & active lifestyle. These protein bars are the best way to add quick protein to one’s midday snack. It is a nutraceutical food supplement fortified with micronutrients viz. dark compound (Sugar, edible vegetable fat (hydrogenated), cocoa solids & emulsifiers INS 491, INS322, natural vanilla flavouring substances), Isolated Soy protein, Rice crispy (Rice flour), Milk compound (Sugar, edible vegetable fat (hydrogenated), milk solids, cocoa solids & emulsifiers INS322, natural vanilla flavouring substances, etc. It is available in attractive packing of 35-gram bar at a price of Rs. 40/- only whereas average MRP of top 3 branded products available in market is Rs. 80/-.
		Jan Aushadhi Immunity Bar is an excellent way of fortifying essential micronutrients to combat the influence of weekend immunity in all, especially the kids. Thus, giving ultimate importance to prepare one’s immune system to combat the flus and colds that seem to dominate one health status quo, generally the kids who run away from consuming essential micronutrients from the traditional sources/methods. As such, Jan Aushadhi Immunity Bar comes handy which is not only delicious but also nutritious containing Sugar, edible vegetable fat (hydrogenated), cocoa solids, Vitamins, Minerals, emulsifiers INS 491, INS322, natural vanilla flavouring substances. It is available in attractive packing of 10-gram bar at a price of Rs. 10/- only whereas average MRP of top 3 branded products available in market is Rs. 20/-.

Ministry also promoting use of generic medicines in India by various mediums like print, electronic & social media, organizing seminars involving social impact groups like doctors, pharmacists, consumers etc. spent around Rs 21 crore in last five years for this purpose. Sanctioned budget of Rs 12.90 crore this year.

For inviting more applicants & increasing viability of stores, incentives are being provided  which are almost doubled from Rs 2.50 lakh to 5.00 lakh. Government is also providing one time grant of Rs 2.00 lakh for store set-up to persons belonging to SC,ST, women & divyang category and to any applicant opening store in N-E States, aspirational districts & Himalayan states.

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RCJ/RKM/CKR