New Delhi, May 31 (IANS): The Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) has for the first time crossed Rs 100 crore sales in the month of May. This is the implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).

"In its journey of last 8 years, starting from the annual turnover of Rs 8 crore in year 2014-15, PMBI has clocked its highest monthly sales turnover of Rs 100 crore in the month of May, 2022 which in turn has saved around Rs 600 crore of citizens of the country", said the Union Health Ministry in a statement on Tuesday.

In May, 2021, total sales were Rs 83.77 crore and that was the COVID-19 second wave period. People have been able to reduce their out-of-pocket expenditure on medicines with the government intervention of this noble scheme, the ministry said.

The Centre has also set a target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras to 10,000 by March 2024. The number of these stores is currently 8735. Under the PMBJP, 739 districts of the country have been covered.

Currently, these centres make available more than 1600 medicines and 250 surgical devices including nutraceuticals, Ayush products and Suvidha sanitary pads which are sold at Re 1 per pad.