Access to Generic Medicines through the People’s Medicine Centre (PMC) in Odisha, India: A qualitative study

Introduction: Access to medicine is a concern in India and developing countries. In India, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Priyojana (PMBJP) helps, to a certain extent, provide medicines to people experiencing poverty. PMBJP is India’s central government scheme hosted by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, which comes under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. The scheme was uniformly introduced in all the states of the country to benefit the people at large in 2008. The objective of the scheme is to provide high-quality medication to everyone belonging to different strata of the population, especially underprivileged and impoverished people. The state has high regional inequality where few districts are economically developed while many others are economically backward, and access to medicine remains a challenge. Objective: This paper explores the knowledge and awareness of the scheme among PMC owners, grievances, and market competition of PMCs. Methods: This study adopted a qualitative research method to understand the concerns of pharmacists and PMCs. An interview schedule was used to assess the situation. The research revolves around subjects such as proprietorship, motivational aspects, monetary provision, faith, satisfaction, perceived benefits, and challenges of the stakeholders. Therefore, open-ended, in-depth interviews were best suited for the study. PMC pharmacists were the only participants in the study. The data collection took place in January and February 2023. Results: The results are presented under three themes pertaining to the PMC business: awareness, grievances, and market competition. The study revealed that the ownership of the PMCs was of two types in the state of Odisha: one was an old PMC that started between 2008 and 2015, and the other type was a new PHC that started after 2015. In 2015, radical changes were brought into the scheme. The popularity of the scheme among private pharmacists became a phenomenon after 2015; earlier, it was under the control of the government and the District Red Cross (DRC). The scheme was made open for all independent private pharmacists in 2015. The risk of expired stocks constantly loomed over the PMC business. PMC owners discussed expired drug management mechanisms. Market competition was very much in favor of the PMC owners, as their products were much cheaper than the branded market products. However, they reel under small earnings due to the low price of their products. Conclusion: Disseminating information about the PMBJP scheme is currently limited to existing pharmacists. The scheme could be promoted to recent graduates with D. Pharma or B to expand its reach. Pharma degrees, encouraging them to become independent PMC pharmacists. Additionally, enhancing mechanisms for managing expired drugs would make the PMC business more appealing. Reforms are also needed for older PMCs (established between 2008 and 2015) to prevent conflicts with authorities and other schemes. While PMCs benefit from lower product prices, they must increase sales volume to achieve satisfactory income, which should be considered to improve the financial outcomes for PMC owners.