The Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India (BPPI), which is managing the Jan Aushadhi programme, has started the process of purchasing generic drugs from the private companies for the period of 2014-16, after sitting on the proposal for a long time.

The BPPI has invited tenders from the companies to procure generic drugs and announced a list of 132 formulations to begin with. Earlier, it has announced the plans for procurement of 361 drugs to give a lifeline to the fledgling Jan Aushadhi programme. It had also shortlisted 43 companies and conducted the on-site scrutiny of the facilities of the said manufacturers.

“After varied success in last five years and to give a new thrust to Jan Aushadhi Campaign, a New Business Plan has been worked out. It aims to extend the geographical coverage of the scheme, by opening more than 3000 stores during the 12th Plan Period. It is proposed to channelise efforts to popularise the scheme in a few selected states and ensure availability of the complete basket of medicines at affordable prices,” according to the tender document.

The drugs to be procured included "Aceclofenac Gel, Aspirin Tablets, Methyl Salicylate IP, Amoxycillin, Cefotaxime Sodium, Eucayptol IP, Ceftazadime Injection I.P, Roxithromycin Suspension, Adapalene, Beclomethasone,  Chlorhexidine Gluconate Solution, Fusidic Acid Cream I.P, Glutaraldehyde Solution, Ketoconazole Shampoo, Lidocaine Ointment, Insulin Injection (Human) I.P, Pioglitazone Tablets I.P, Glimeperide,  Metformin (SR), Ergotamine Tartate Tablets, Etoposide Capsulesules, Medroxyprogestrone Acetate, Tamoxifen Citrate, Ciprofloxacin Infusion, Dextrose (10D), Levofloxacin Infusion, Mannitol Infusion, Metronidazole Infusion, Sodium Chloride Infusion, Plasma Volume Expander (Gelatin Base), Albendazole, Dicyclomine 10 mg + Mefenamic Acid 250 mg Tablets, Diethylcarbamazine citrate Tablets, Famotidine Tablets, Lactic acid Bacillus, Ranitidine Injection, Calcium Citrate, Budesonide Respule, Pheniramine Maleate Tablets I.P, Salbutamol Respule, Adenosine, Amiodarone , Clonidine Tablets, Clopidogrel, Diltiazem Tablets, Diltiazem Tablets, Enalpril Tablets, Frusemide Injection, Simvastatin Tablets, Tamsulosin Hydrochloride, Artesunate Tablets, Primaquine Tablets, Betahistine Tablets, Flunarzine Tablets, and Dexamethasone Tablets.

“Average Annual turnover in the last three years i.e. 2010-2011, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 shall not be less than <span class=WebRupee>Rs.</span>10 crore and turnover for the year 2012-13 should also not be less than <span class=WebRupee>Rs.</span>10 crore,” said the notice, while specifying the eligibility criteria for the participating companies.

“Tenderer should have manufactured/imported and sold a minimum of 10 batches of the product quoted in the tender in the last 5 years, spread over at least three years, as manufacturer / importer,” it added.

The proposal for purchasing drugs from the private sector was expected to happen immediately after the launch of the programme in November, 2008. In fact, the Department of Pharmaceuticals had invited expression of interest from the companies in December 2008 and as many as 76 firms including some major companies had responded to it. But later the DoP developed cold feet and finally dropped the idea of sourcing medicines from private companies on the plea that the expressions of interest were found to be not meeting all requisite criteria.