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March 6th 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here
Janaushadhi Diwas
Context:
To providing further impetus & creating awareness about use of generic medicines, it has been decided to celebrate 7th March 2019 as ‘Janaushadhi Diwas’ across India.
About PMBJP:
- Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). BPPI was established in December, 2008 under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India.
- Vision: To bring down the healthcare budget of every citizen of India through providing Quality generic Medicines at Affordable Prices.
- Objectives of the scheme: Making quality medicines available at affordable prices for all, particularly the poor and disadvantaged, through exclusive outlets “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras”, so as to reduce out of pocket expenses in healthcare.
Few facts about PMBJP:
- Over 5050 Janaushadhi stores functional across 652 districts in the country each block in the country to have a PMBJP Kendra by 2020.
- Market share of generic medicines has grown over three fold from 2% to 7%in last 3 years.
- The PMBJP scheme has led to total savings of approximately Rs.1000 crores for common citizens, as these medicines are cheaper by 50% to 90% of average market price.
Generic medicine:
Generic drugs are marketed under a non-proprietary or approved name rather than a proprietary or brand name. Generic drugs are equally effective and inexpensive compared to their branded counterparts.
Quality Assurance Scheme for Basic Composite Medical Laboratories
Context:
For sensitizing small laboratories to basic doable quality practices, NABL has launched another voluntary scheme called Quality Assurance Scheme (QAS) for Basic Composite (BC) Medical Laboratories (Entry Level) .
Who are eligible?
The laboratories performing only basic routine tests like blood glucose, blood counts, rapid tests for common infections, liver & kidney function tests and routine tests of urine will be eligible to apply under this scheme.
Details about scheme:
- The scheme will help to bring quality at the grass root level of India’s health system where laboratories follow the imperatives of quality in all their processes.
- This will inculcate the habit of quality and facilitate the laboratories to achieve benchmark accreditation of ISO 15189 over a period of time.
- The laboratories may upgrade to accreditation as per ISO 15189 at any point of time. Successful laboratories will be issued a certificate of compliance to QAS BC scheme by NABL and they will be allowed to use a distinct symbol on the test reports as a mark of endorsement to the basic standard for a defined time frame before which they will have to transition to full accreditation as per ISO 15189.
About NABL:
- The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) undertakes the assessment and accreditation of Testing and Calibration Laboratories, in accordance with the international standard ISO / IEC 17025 and ISO 15189.
- It is a constituent board of Quality Council of India (QCI) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
Govt. issues model guidelines for development & regulation of retirement homes
Context:
Minister of State (I/C) for Housing and Urban Affairs has informed that the model guidelines for development and Regulation of Retirement Homes.
The salient features of these Model Guidelines are:
- Keeping in view the requirement of independent lifestyle choice, these Guidelines provides that any person can buy such apartments but has to be solely used by a senior citizen.
- Resident of Retirement Homes will be any person who is 60 years of age or above.
- Promoter/ Developer can build and manage the Retirement Homes or engage a ‘Service Provider’ or ‘Retirement Home Operator’ for management of Retirement Homes. Such Service Providers will be required to be registered with appropriate State Authorities.
- To encourage participation of promoter/ developer to develop such projects enhanced Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is proposed.
Guidelines:
- Elderly friendly design, gas leak detection systems, power back up facilities in corridors, lobby, lifts & apartments.
- Compliance with green building principles & use of non-polluting & renewable energy.
- 24×7 water & electricity supply, hygiene, indoor & outdoor recreation facilities, security & housekeeping, single window facilities & helpdesk, transportation assistance, yoga & fitness facilities, care giving facilities, etc.
- 24×7 on-site ambulance service, mandatory tie up with nearest hospitals & pharmacy, medical emergency room, regular medical check-up of residents.
- Customised services over & above basic common services also prescribed.
- Retirement homes to be friendly for differently abled provision of lifts, signage & signalling systems mandatory
March 6th 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here
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