APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 03/09/2025
For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, practicing Daily Answer Writing is vital. This blog covers the most important Main question and its model Answer from the Assam Tribune today (03-09-2025).
GS Paper 2 (10/15 Marks)
“Affordable access to medicines is central to Universal Health Coverage in India. Critically examine the role of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in achieving this goal.”
Model Answer
Introduction
Universal Health Coverage (UHC), as envisaged under the SDG 3 and India’s National Health Policy 2017, requires affordable access to essential medicines. With out-of-pocket expenditure on medicines constituting ~48% of total health spending in India (NHA 2023), the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has emerged as a key initiative to provide quality generic drugs at affordable prices through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Body
1. Significance of PMBJP
- Affordable Medicines: Generic drugs sold at 50–90% lower cost than branded alternatives, reducing household financial burden.
- Wide Coverage: Over 20,000 Kendras across 1,800 districts (2025 milestone).
- Women-Centric Initiatives: Suvidha sanitary napkins at ₹1, oxytocin, maternal health medicines.
- Equity in Healthcare: Ensures access for rural and urban poor.
- Support to Atmanirbhar Bharat: Promotes indigenous pharma and small entrepreneurs.
2. Challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Awareness Gap | Many citizens and doctors unaware/mistrustful of generics. |
| Prescription Bias | Doctors often prescribe branded drugs due to pharma incentives. |
| Supply Chain Issues | Intermittent stock-outs reduce reliability. |
| Uneven Distribution | NE and tribal areas under-represented. |
| Perception Problem | Misconception of generics being inferior. |
3. Govt Initiatives & Reforms
- Expansion Plan: Target 25,000 Kendras by 2027.
- National Digital Health Mission (NDHM): Integration with e-pharmacies for availability tracking.
- Awareness Drives: IEC campaigns to promote confidence in generics.
- Regulation & Quality Control: Strengthening CDSCO and PMBI audits.
4. Way Forward
- Awareness & Trust Building: Community-level campaigns and medical education reforms.
- Prescription Reforms: Mandate generic prescriptions in govt facilities; incentivise doctors.
- Tech-enabled Supply Chains: Real-time monitoring to prevent shortages.
- Regional Expansion: Focus on NE, tribal belts, and aspirational districts.
- Integration with PM-JAY: Bundle PMBJP drugs with Ayushman Bharat hospitalisation.
Conclusion
The PMBJP has taken significant strides in making healthcare affordable, evident from the 20,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras milestone. However, challenges of awareness, prescription culture, and last-mile delivery need urgent attention. If implemented effectively, PMBJP can become the cornerstone of India’s UHC journey, ensuring that no citizen is denied healthcare due to medicine costs.managed rollout can make India a global leader in digital currency adoption, complementing its fintech success story.
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