CHAPTER – 1

INTRODUCTION:

Increased health-care expenses remain a major concern worldwide, especially in

underdeveloped and developing countries where majority of the people are unable to meet
them and India is no exception. According to one of the estimates, 70% of Indian people
spend their 10-20% of total income as health expenses and adds up to their financial
difficulties. The WHO survey performed in the year 2011 documented that 3.2% of Indians
live below poverty line and lack of the health insurance further compounds to the above
situation.[1,2] At the top of the above scenario, the Indian market has number of same drug
formulations with different brand names. According to one of the reports, 1 lakh brand
medicines are registered and made of 1000 active pharmaceutical ingredients. This has
resulted because of mushrooming of large number of pharmaceutical industries as India is
ranked 3rd largest in volume and terms who brand the same medicines by different brand
names. This results in competition by adopting different marketing strategies between
different pharmaceutical houses for the promotion of their brands and further escalating the
cost of medicines. Although there has been increase in number of medicines flooding the
market in their generic names to overcome the cost factor. However, it has largely failed to
make impact on economic pressure on health care as most of the branded medicines are
manufactured by multinational companies and large Indian companies and are strongly
supported by the prescribing physicians.

To overcome this problem inflicting immense economic impact on poor population, the
Indian Government had launched the Jan Aushadhi campaign in April 2008 by opening
government -controlled centers in various states to provide quality generic medicines at lower
prices to their counterpart branded ones to make them easily affordable to a common man.[6]

Currently, our country has more than 850 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra’s
functional spreading over 28 states/union territories. As on January 31, 2017, the product
basket contains >1100 items (1000 medicines and 154 surgical and consumables). At present,
there are over 250 Jan Aushadhi drug stores across the country. Jan Aushadhi centers in these
states provide generic medicines of 230 different kinds of drug formulations. However, the

1
intended intentions of the government have not still met with total success as still the patients
feel hesitant to buy the generic medicines from these centers and even doctors are doing no
good as some of them are reluctant to prescribe them. To have insight into this problem, the
current study was conceived by subjecting stakeholders such as peoples and patients to a
detailed questionnaire to access the knowledge, attitude, and Awareness of people toward Jan
Aushadhi scheme. Hence, the outcome of the current trial could suggest remedial measures.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

The problem is that not every-one is aware of the schemes implemented by government for
the welfare of the people below poverty line.The successful solution will be taking effective
measures like campaigns, educating the people to make them more aware about the Jan
Aushadhi Medical Store.

NEED FOR STUDY:

This study is done to know the ,knowledge perception and attitude of people and
patients towards generic medicines provided by government at low cost through Jan
Aushadhi Medical Stores which supports and helps the people below poverty line.This helps
to identify the issues and problems faced by people and also helps to make decision to give
solution regarding the problem.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:

1. To study the degree of general knowledge of people about Jan Aushadhi Medical
Store.
2. To study the peoples’s awareness of Jan Aushadhi Medical schemes.
3. To know the willingness of people to buy generic medicines.
4. To study the understanding and people’s perception on generic medicines.
5. To study the satisfaction level of customers towards quality, price,
availability,accessibility,acceptability,affordability of this medicines.
6. To know about how the government initiative measures reach among the people.

2
SCOPE OF THE STUDY:

The focus of this research work is to primarily study on the positive impact of Jan Aushadhi
medical scheme towards people who is not affordable to buy medicine at high prices and also
the people’s awareness on this scheme. The study will comprise middle class people and
people BPL.

3
 CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF EARLIER WORKS
1. Anita Kotwani (2010) researched the Pharmaceuticals Situation in India and how the
Generic medicines are an affordable alternative to the costlier, patented, branded
medicines. However, vast majority of Indian population still has to spend "out of
pocket" on costlier, branded medicines. Various surveys in India have highlighted the
problem of availability and supply of cheaper generics in Indian market. Recently,
Government of India has initiated the scheme of "Jan Aushadhi Stores", planned in
each district in the country,to provide for cheaper generic medicines. However,
several surveys have focused on poor quality image of generics, both in the mindsets
of prescribers, as well as patients. This study is one of the first such studies, which
compares the quality of four commonly used drugs ‐‐ Alprazolam,Cetrizine,
Ciprofloxacin, Fluoxitine, available as generics from "Jan Aushadhi Stores", with
that of the respective leading brands, viz., Restyl, Alerid, Ciprobid and Fludac, from
the market. These medicines were tested as per the Indian pharmacopoeial guidelines.
Results indicate all the four pairs of generics vs. popular branded medicines pass the
relevant pharmacopoeial tests, thereby underlining that generics are of as good
quality as branded medicines. The study highlights the importance of spreading
awareness on quality of generics, amongst the prescribers and the public as well.

2. Singhal g.l., kotwani Anita and Nanda Arun (2011) conducted one of the first such
research studies, which compares the quality of four commonly used drugs ‐‐
Alprazolam,Cetrizine, Ciprofloxacin, Fluoxitine, available as generics from "Jan
Aushadhi Stores", with that of the respective leading brands, viz., Restyl, Alerid,
Ciprobid and Fludac, from the market. This paper represents importance of spreading
awareness on quality of generics, amongst the prescribers and the public as well.
3. Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Roopa Prasad Nayak, Surendra Kumar Vidyarti
(2015)carried-out a cross-sectional study to explore the knowledge, attitude, and
practice of doctors towards generic medicines and concluding that good percentage
of doctors had knowledge about generic medicines. They showed good attitude about
quality and efficacy and majority of prescribed generic drugs. It was known to 76.7%
doctors that a generic medicine contains the same active substance(s) as the innovator
medicine, and it is used at the same dose(s) to treat the same disease(s) as the

4
 innovator medicine (p = 0.000). Among doctors, 79.5% were aware that generic drug
manufacturers need to conduct bioequivalence studies to show equivalence between
the generic medicine and the innovator medicine (p = 0.0000); 75.3% doctors did not
agree that generics are not as safe as innovator drugs (p = 0.0000). Moreover, 64.4%
doctor did not agree that generics are not as effective as brand-name drugs (p =
0.0123); 71.2% doctors do not think that switching a patient from a brand-name to
generic drug may change the outcome of the therapy (p = 0.0002). Sixty-three
percent doctors said that they prescribe generic drugs (p = 0.0243).

4. Bhupender Singh, Arun Nanda, Vikaas Budhwar (2015) conducted a research to

critically analyses the various governmental initiatives to promote generics in India,
and attempts to highlight the various shortfalls in the same. The author concluding
that there is no co-ordination and co-operation between the Central & State
Governments, Government and MCI should strictly monitor Government should
sponsor studies on comparison of branded with generics and need to allow generic
companies to advertise their quality.
5. Avinash Darekar, Isha Patel, Marilee Clemons, Xi Tan, Rajat Rana, Deepak Bhatia,
Jongwha Chang(2016) conducted a research about the legal practice where
physicians directly supply their patients with medication and conflicts of interest can
arise due to financial incentives. From the study it is concluded that. If the trend of
dispensing doctors continues, retail pharmacies will inevitably be forced to close.
Pharmacies only depend on sales from medicines to pay rent, salaries and other
expenses. Physicians and pharmacies should be allowed to generate income by
treating sick people.
6. Vinuth Chikkamath, Anantha Naik Nagappa (2016) conducted a research on
Demonetarization of currency notes of five hundred rupees and thousand rupees
denominations is hailed because of surgical strike against black money, terrorist
funding and also corruption. On the comparative lines the Government of India has
introduced Jan Aushadhi scheme to give jolt to the uncontrolled medicine prices
across all therapeutic category of medicines in India. Although brand medicines in
India appear cheap when compared with international prices, however the brand
medicines in India are expensive in comparison with generic medicines. The brand
medicines despite being expensive are preferred over generic medicines by the

5
 prescribers due to exhaustive marketing practices by the manufactures. Although
generic medicines are available at affordable prices they are not preferred over brand
medicines. The price sensitivity for medicine appears to be very low. Generic
medicines are less popular for various reasons, primarily due to marketing techniques
of luring the prescribers brand medicines. The medicine prices are bound to get
down to the ground levels when enactment of Jan Aushadhi Act implemented in true
spirit with a strong political will.
7. Vijay Khajuria, Shamiya Sadiq, Kanika Khajuria (2017) conducted a reseach to have
insight into the problem by studying knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) among
doctors and patients and concluded that some of the doctors are still not convinced
about the efficacy and promptness of Jan Aushadhi generic medicines. Maximum
doctors do not prescribe generic medicines. Hence, the doctors should be encouraged
to use more of Jan Aushadhi generic medicines and patients should also be educated
about this scheme.

8. Kanchan Mukherjee(2017) conducted a research regarding the cost

analysis,Considering the price of the medicines the study assumes that the direct non-
medical costs like transportation costs to avail these medicines would be the same for
patients accessing either the Jan Aushadhi stores or the private chemists who sell the
branded medicines.A detailed study with larger sample of drugs are taken.Their study
shows that while the JAS price is among the lowest in the market for medicines like
alprazolam and atorvastatin, there are cheaper branded medicines available in the
market for a commonly prescribed antibiotic (cefuroxime axetil) and concluding that
the Government of India reviews the medicine pricing policy under the JAS.

9. Prasanna R.Deshpande,Mohd KazimSheriff,Atmaram P. Pawar (2018) conducted a

web based survey to determine the functioning and productive of JAS in the country.
They adopted convenient sampling method to analyse various parameters and
concluding that root cause of the all the problems is about generic drugs and Jan
Aushadhi Scheme is associated with improper marketing and governance. The
government needs to take initiative to solve the issues.From the findings they
concluding that dealing with generic drugs is a multifaceted and complex issue in
India. JAS were not as “economically productive”as to a regular
“government”/community pharmacy in India. There are some flaws as far as the

6
 functioning JAS is considered. Although JA scheme was launched long back, it has
not spread well in the country until now. Productive inputs are essential for better
running of the scheme. The government should think of the hurdles and the
suggestions as reported by the JAS owners.

10. Richa Tibrewal, Shilpi Rastogi , Simran Kour, Shilpi Jain (2018) conducted research
on Medical Expenses on Indian Households.Here,They analysed the implications cost
savings for patients and policy implications of the scheme .Data were used to obtain
prices of medicines under the JAS and prices of branded medicines of the same
formulations. A cost analysis design was used and reviewed that there are substantial
differences between the JAS price and the cheapest branded medicines are available
in the market. Not all JAS prices are lower than branded medicines i.e. the cheapest
branded cefuroxime axetil (500 mg) (antibiotic) in the market is almost three times
cheaper than its JAS price. There are cheaper brands available for some commonly
prescribed. The Jan Aushadhi Campaign is expected to make a great contribution by
way of achieving the socio-economic goal of affordable health, by ensuring
availability of quality drugs at affordable prices for all. The scheme is also expected
to reduce expenditure on medicines, thereby extending patient coverage under the
public health scheme. Popularization of the use of unbranded generic medicines will
bring down actual out-of-pocket expenses on medicines for the common man and
thereby make health care affordable and safe. Jan Aushadhi Scheme will prove to be
an effective market intervention strategy to bring down the prohibitively high prices
of medicines, and will create market for drugs manufactured in CPSUs, other State
PSUs and private sector, particularly small and medium enterprises.
11. Rupesh Rastogi & Virendra Kumar(2018) by conducting research reviewed that
generally people buy medicines of reputed brands or which are prescribed by their
Doctors. The price of reputed brand medicines generally remains on higher side and
creates affordability issue. The “Jan Aushadhi” was launched by the Govt. of India in
the year 2008 with an intention of providing quality generic medicines at an
affordable price. In Amritsar city of Punjab State the first “Jan Aushadhi Medical
Store” was opened on 25 November 2008. The “Jan Aushadhi” was renamed “as
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana" (PMBJP) in November 2016. To
further augment the scheme various provisions has been made like a grant of Rs.2.5

7
 lakhs is given to NGOs, agencies and individuals who establish Jan Aushadhi stores
in Government hospital premises. The space is also provided free of cost. All NGOs,
Charitable Societies, Self Help Groups, with experience of minimum 3 years in
welfare activities, can also open the Jan Aushadhi store outside the hospital premises.
The Jan Aushadhi programme is widely aimed to revolutionize the philosophy of
production, retail trade and prescription of medicines. Despite the fact that; the
difference in the price of generic and branded medicine is huge; the scheme till date
has not achieved the targets which were set due to various reasons. Like very few
patients have opted for the scheme, very few stores were running till 2015 and an
average of 40-100 drugs were available till 2015. Although there are short comings
in the scheme, it should be implemented by making all possible efforts so that the
poor people of the country can have access to quality healthcare and better life. The
paper analyzes the various factors crucial for the success of the scheme. Secondary
data from various sources has been used in the paper. The results of the paper are
useful for pharmacy professionals and common man.
12. Aliya Moin, Sowjanya M, Department of Pharmaceutics, Adhiparasakthi College of
Pharmacy, Melmaruvathur, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu stated that over the last few
years even our country has developed in producing quality generic drugs in most of
the thereupatic categories. However, these generic drugs are available at reasonable
prices but still most of the population of our country is still unable to afford these
drugs. In our country, generic drugs are developed in most of the therapeutic
categories. Even though, these generic drugs are made available at reasonable prices,
most of the population is still unable to access the generic drug usage. So, in order to
make it available to layman, the government has introduced the Jan Aushadhi
Scheme, making the availability of generic drugs and helping to get medicines at
affordable prices. This Jan Aushadhi stores are presents all over the country enabling
the availability of drugs at reasonable prices having 600 plus drugs. The Jan
Aushadhi stores are licensed under the roof of pharmaceutical products of India.
13. Lubna Suraiya conducted a research to analyse the concept of generic medicines and
people’s awareness about generic medicine.From the research,Researcher reviewed
that Mass consumer awareness about generic medicines is highly lacking due to
improper health care professionals, communication run-down and looting the
financial incentives. Safety and efficacy issues were viewed as major barriers to the
acceptance of generic drug substitutions. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

8
 should take efforts to embargo the drug stores that do not carry suitable authorization,
pharmacists and physicians. Jan Aushadh scheme should be established in interior
sub rural areas for making the accessibility of the medicines and can serve the real
purpose of the poor. Mandatory availability of generic medicine is to be provided in
the Governments hospitals as many poor people prefer going Primary Health care
Centres. Educational institutions should take efforts to focus on creating level of
awareness, refining the literacy ratio and eliminating the qualms or delusions about
generic medications.
14. Rawat Rashmilata, Ganachari Madivalaiya Shivputrayya, Salimath Geetanjali
Conducted a research to evaluate/investigate the Knowledge and self-practice of
Pharmacists, Prescribers regarding Generic Drug (GD) Use. 183 Physicians and
Pharmacists were participated, 146 were community pharmacists and 37 were physicians.
125 (85.62%) pharmacists, 31 (83.78%) physicians were believed that GDs are
therapeutically bio equivalent to innovator drugs. 123 (84.24%) Pharmacists, 25
(67.57%) physicians agreed that GDs contain the same active ingredients and treat the
same disease at the same dose compare to brand name drug. Among the participants, 127
(86.99%) pharmacists have stored GDs at their stores. Majority of 37 physicians
preferred prescribing GDs.Their study concludes that the Knowledge and self-practice of
Pharmacists and Prescribers towards the uses of Generic drugs in community settings
found acceptable awareness among general population that reduces the cost of health
expenditure and improves quality of life. The counselling and education improved the
perception of pharmacists and prescribers towards Generic drug use. .
15. Amit Dang, Shilpa Mendon and Pruthvi Desireddy conducted a research to evaluate
the pricing strategy followed in India and concluding that In several mature markets,
VBP is being increasingly adopted by payers as a way to focus their limited
pharmaceutical budgets on drugs that meet genuine clinical needs and better reward
manufacturers for developing such medicines. Though it might be a tough time for
pharmaceutical industry to get over the challenges of VBP and value based innovation, it
definitely would lead to access of basic healthcare to the bottom of the pyramid
community.10 Today value-based health care movement is a growing collection of
people, organizations and governments that strongly believe value-of-care should replace
volume-of-care. This quest for value in health care is now a global trend and can result in
unprecedented impact. It is time that regulator in India become a part of this trend and

9
bring about the necessary change in the healthcare sector for implementing value-based
pricing as a core strategy. Adopting the following principles can enable alignment of all
healthcare components:Shifting the focus from just lowering cost to value for patients;
value that is, driven by provider experience, scale and learning at the medical condition
level. Enabling free flow of information on results and prices that is essential for value-
based competition .Encouraging innovation in healthcare by strongly rewarding any in-
crease in value to the patient or society.
16. Dr. Subhash C. Mandal & Dr. Moitreyee Mandal from their research concluding that
Access to high cost medicines are a problem round the world especially in the low and
middle income countries. Low health care budget and absence or low coverage of Health
Insurance makes the situation more complex. Respective governments have taken
measures for innovations and framed various legislation to make high priced medicines
more accessible. India has taken several steps for Universal Health care by introducing
new initiatives like-Unorganized Workers Social Security Act (2008), Rashtriya
Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), National
Urban Health Mission (NUHM) for overall development of the health care system.
Several other steps have also been taken to make medicines more accessible like-
“Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana” Scheme. Greater number of drugs,
including high priced medicines have been included under the price control mechanism,
through which price of the medicines are monitored by the National Pharmaceutical
Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of
India. Several state Governments have taken up innovative programmes to improve
accessibility to high cost medicines. Government of India has also utilized flexibilities of
IPR provisions in case of public health care exigencies by granting compulsory licensing
making life saving medicines affordable.Under PMPJP scheme cost of “High Priced
Medicines” have been reduced drastically in the tune of less than 10 percent in some
instant. It is expected that some more measures to be taken by the concerned authorities
to improve access to high cost medicines.
17. Priyanka Dutta, Ajay Kr. Gupta conducted a research on E-Aushadhi and concluded
that Implementation of an electronic platform that tracks the movement of drugs from the
procurement to the patient through the entire supply chain has become a reality through
e-Aushadhi. Supply chain automation of the drug management system in Maharashtra
Public Health Department leads to 20% reduction in cost of medicine, and provides an

10
accurate view of state of drugs warehouse and inventories across the state. Accurate root
level reporting and monitoring has been one of the major achievements of e-Aushadhi.
The application has matured with each state experience and has now become a complete
product. Its varied features and functionalities give it a cutting edge to its competitors
18. Nagargoje MM , Chaudhary SS , Siddiqui HA , Misra SK , Garg SK had conducted
a research and reviewed that in India as we are heavily dependent on foreign MNCs for
new innovative/pioneered drugs and APIs; quality of India-made generics is questionable
sometimes; pharma MNCs are highly unsatisfied with India’s over-protective approaches
in drug pricing and patent issues; and India is having a slow progress in generic drug
manufacturing in comparison to other pharmerging countries

11
 CHAPTER-3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter aims to understand the research methodology and it involves instrumentation
and sampling design which will discussed in the following sections.

Research methodology is a systematic functional parameter which is used for conducting a

research. It involves several parameters:

 Research Instruments
 Data Collection
 Sampling Design
 Data Analysis

3.1 INSTRUMENTATION

Instrumentation is the process of constructing research instruments that could be used

appropriately in gathering data on the study. It is a course of action that involves:

 Development of Questionnaire
 Collection of Data

3.1.1 QUESTIONNAIRE

A questionnaire is a systematic set of structured statements that researchers use to

obtain the information they need from respondents. Questionnaire used contains 21questions
which capture the data required for demographic description and factors considering the
customers while buying medicines and their awareness about it.

Items and questions are borrowed from different reference paper which studied on
Knowledge, Attitude,Perception of patients about generic medicines and the questionnaires
is thus developed. The questionnaire was designed on Likert 5-point rating scale (1= Strongly
Disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly Agree) for
major factors of study and a nominal scale for collecting data on demographic factors.

12
3.1.2APPLIED RESEARCH

Here, the research is done with the intention of applying the results of the findings to
solve the specific problems currently experienced by the people and giving suggestions and
solution to the problem.

DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUE

Primary Data
Primary data are those which are collected afresh and for the first time, and thus happen to be
original in character. The primary data is one of the best ways to ensure that the information
is credible and accurate. Primary data is obtained through observation, questionnaires, and
personal interviews. It is collected either by the investigator himself or through his agents.
The researcher used questionnaire to collect the data.

Secondary Data
Secondary data are those which have already been collected be someone else and which have
been passed through the statistical process. Secondary data has been obtained be the
researcher through various, a. Management Books b. Journals c. Internet

Here the researcher collects the data by herself and selected a particular method to collect the
information as given below

APPLICATION OF TOOLS

Percentage Analysis was used to compute the basic milieu of the respondents. To avail the
basic information about generic medicine among the commerce students Garrett Ranking
Method was calculated manually. In this method, the respondents were asked to rank
according to the preferential merit based

3.2 SAMPLING DESIGN

Sampling design is based on two factors which is the sampling frame for representation
basis and sampling technique for element selection.

13
3.2.1 SAMPLING FRAME

In statistics, a sampling frame is the source material or device from which a sample is
drawn. It is a list of all those within a population who can be sampled, and may include
individuals, students, patients, customers,people near Jan-Aushadhi Medical Store.
Sampling frame comprises all classes of people includes middle-class, upper middle-
class, lower middle-class, poor people.

3.2.2 SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

As the sample population includes a large group of audience, a convenient sampling

method is adopted for study and random samples of 100 peoples are used. Sampling
method thus adopted is a probabilistic Area sampling which is a technique is very simple,
cost effective and useful for decisions related to particular location.

Probabilistic Area sampling is a sampling technique performed here it is accompanied

with cluster sampling where groups have heterogeneous members are first identified and
someone are chosen at random. Further, the study is done.

3.2.3 ADMINISTRATION

The data is collected directly by distributing the questionnaire among the people and
consumers nearby Jan Aushadhi Medical Store. This survey was taken in the location say
Coimbatore. The questionnaire was distributed to all the people around and near the place
of Jan Aushadhi Medical store in Gandhipuram, Coimbatore. The respondents are
instructed to fill the Questionnaire as per instructions given by the researchers.

14
 CHAPTER 4

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.1 FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF DEMOGRAPHIC

1. FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION ON AGE:

Age Frequency Percentage Cumulative

percentage
18-25 50 50% 50%
26-33 32 32% 82%
34-41 18 18% 100%
Total 100 100%

AGE
60

50

40

30

20

10

0
18-25 26-33 34-41

INTERPRETATION:

From the graph it is interpreted that the age group (18-25) have actively participated when
compared to other age groups

15
2. FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION ON GENDER

GENDER FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE CUMULATIVE

PERCENTAGE
MALE 58 58 58
FEMALE 42 42 100
TOTAL 100

GENDER

42%

58% MALE
FEMALE

INTERPRETATION:

From the graph it is interpreted that Male respondents (58%) are more
than female (42%) respondents.

16
PEOPLE’S AWARENESS ON GENERIC MEDICINE:

Scale FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Strongly agree 60 60
Agree 22 22
neutral 5 5
disagree 8 8
Strongly disagree 5 5
Total 100 100

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Strongly agree neutral disagree Strongly
agree disagree

INTERPRETATION:

From the it is analysed that 60% of people strongly agreed that they are aware of Jan
Aushadhi Medicines. 22% of peoples agreed that they aware of Jan Aushadhi .

17
PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION ON BRANDED MEDICINE ON COST:

SCALE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE (in %)

Strongly agree 49 49
Agree 31 31
Neutral 10 10
Disagree 4 4
Strongly disagree 6 6
Total 100 100

PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION ON BRANDED

MEDICINE
49
50
40 31
30
PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION ON
20 BRANDED MEDICINE
10
4 6
10
0
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
agree disagree

INTERPRETATION:

49% are strongly agreed that branded medicine are costlier.31% agreed that branded
medicine are costlier.10% are in dilemma.4% are disagreed.6% strongly disagreed that it
is costlier.

18
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE MEASURES (EDUCATING PROGRAMME,
ADVERTISEMENTS VIA NEWSPAPER, TV, SOCIAL NETWORK):

SCALE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE (in %)

Strongly agree 45 45
Agree 40 40
Neutral 12 12
Disagree 2 2
Strongly disagree 1 1
Total 100 100

INITIATIVE MEASURES

45
40
35
30
25 45
20 40 initiative measures
15
10
12
5
2 1
0
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
agree disagree

INTERPRETATION:

45% strongly agreed that government have to take more initiative measures to make more
awareness about generic medicine.40% agreed that government need to take initiative
measures for promotion.12% have nothing to say about this.2% disagreed about creating
awareness1% strongly agreed that need no awareness as people know about this scheme.

19
PEOPLE’S AWARENESS ON LOCATION OF JAN AUSHADHI MEDICAL
STORE:

SCALE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE (in %)

Strongly agree 49 49
Agree 31 31
Neutral 10 10
Disagree 4 4
Strongly disagree 6 6
Total 100 100

LOCATION

6%
4%
10% Strongly agree
Agree
49% Neutral
Disagree
31% Strongly disagree

INTERPRETATION:

49% strongly agreed that they know about the location of near-by Jan Aushadhi Medical
store.31% agreed that they know about the location of Jan Aushadhi Medical Store.10%
people are in dilemma.4% don’t know about the location of Jan Aushadhi Medical
Store.6% strongly agreed that they don’t know about the location of Jan Aushadhi
Medical Store.

20
ECONOMIC CONDITION:

SCALE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE (in%)

Strongly agree 42 42
Agree 40 40
Neutral 5 5
Disagree 3 3
Strongly disagree 10 10
Total 100 100

ECONOMIC CONDITION

3%
5% 10%
42% strongly agree
disagree
neutral
40%
disagree
strongly disagree

INTERPRETATION:

From, the graph it is analysed that 42% people strongly agreed and 40% agreed that their
economic condition influencing them to buy generic medicines.5% are in dilemma to tell
their economic condition is the reason to prefer generic medicine.13% people are
disagreed that their economic condition is not the reason to prefer generic medicines.

21
PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION ON GENERIC MEDICINE:

SCALE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Strongly agree 15 15
agree 10 10
neutral 13 13
Disagree 22 22
Strongly disagree 40 40
Total 100 100

PEOPLE'S PERCEPTION
45
40%
40
35
30
25 22%
20
15%
15 13%
10%
10
5
0
strongly agree agree neutral disagree strongly agree

INTERPRETATION:

From the graph it is analysed and concluding that 40% people are strongly believing that
generic medicines are reactive.22% believing that these medicines are reactive.13%
people have no idea about the effect of medicine.10% people believing that it is less
reactive and 15% strongly believing that it is slow reactive when compared to branded
medicines.

22
COMPARING BRANDED MEDICINE AND GENERIC MEDICINE:

Factors like price, quality, reactiveness (effectiveness), accessibility and availability are
compared between generic and branded medicine thus, the results are interpreted.

1. PRICE

SCALE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Strongly agree 70 70
agree 12 12
neutral 10 10
Disagree 8 8
Strongly disagree 2 2
Total 100 100

PRICE

8% 2%
10% Strongly agree
agree

12% neutral
Disagree
70% Strongly disagree

INTERPRETATION:

70% people strongly agreed that price of generic medicine is cheaper than branded
medicine.12% agreed that price of generic medicine is cheaper than branded
medicine.10% have no idea about the price.8% are disagreed that some of the generic
medicines are costlier than branded medicines.2% strongly disagreed that generic
medicine is cheaper.

23
 2. QUALITY

SCALE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Strongly agree 47 47
Agree 43 43
Neutral 4 4
Disagree 6 6
Strongly disagree 10 10
Total 100 100

QUALITY
50
45
40
35
30
25
QUALITY
20
15
10
5
0
strongly agree neutral disagree strongly
agree disagree

INTERPRETATION:

47% are strongly agreed that quality of generic medicine is same as the quality of branded
medicines.43% are agreed that quality of generic is same as branded medicine.4% are in
dilemma. 6% are in disagreed that the quality is not same.10% strongly disagreed that quality
of generic is not equal to branded medicine.

24
3. EFFECTIVENESS:

SCALE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Strongly agree 82 82
agree 9 9
neutral 3 3
Disagree 4 4
Strongly disagree 2 2
Total 100 100

EFFECTIVENESS

90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40% EFFECTIVENESS
30%
20%
10%
0%
Strongly agree neutral Disagree Strongly
agree disagree

INTERPRETATION:

82% of people are strongly agreed that generic medicine is equally effective as branded
medicine.9% agreed it is equally effective as branded medicine.3% are not able to take
decision regarding effectiveness.4% are disagreed that generic medicine is effective.2%
strongly disagreed that it is effective.

25
4. ACCESSIBILITY:

SCALE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Strongly agree 12 12
agree 13 13
neutral 3 3
Disagree 24 24
Strongly disagree 48 48
Total 100 100

ACCESSIBILITY

12%
13% Strongly agree
48%
3% agree
neutral
24% Disagree
Strongly disagree

INTERPRETATION:

12% are strongly agreed that generic medicines are accessible in their area.13% are
agreed that medicines are accessible in their area.3% have not reveal their opinion. 24%
are disagreed about accessibility when compared to branded medicine.48% are strongly
disagreed that generic medicine about accessibility when compared to branded medicine.

26
 5. DISTRIBUTION:

SCALE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Strongly agree 48 48
Agree 24 24
Neutral 3 3
Disagree 13 13
Strongly disagree 12 12
Total 100 100

DISTRIBUTION
50
45
40
35
30
25 48%
DISTRIBUTION
20
15 24%
10
13% 12%
5
3%
0
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
agree disagree

INTERPRETATION:

48% people are strongly agreed that distribution of generic medicine is good.24%
agreed that medicines are distributed periodically.3 % are in dilemma.13% disagreed about
the distribution of generic medicine .12% are disagreed regarding distribution.

27
6. SWITCHED INTO BRANDED TO GENERIC MEDICINE:

SCALE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Strongly agreed 60 60
agreed 10 10
neutral 3 3
disagreed 7 7
Strongly disagreed 20 20
Total 100 100

SWITCHED FROM BRANDED TO GENERIC MEDICINE

20%
Strongly agreed
7%
agreed
60% neutral
10%
3% disagreed
Strongly disagreed

INTERPRETAION:

60% strongly agreed that after hearing about generic medicine which is available at low cost
they switched from branded to generic medicine.10% agreed that they switched from branded
to generic medicine.3% are in dilemma.7% are using branded medicine.27% are strongly
disagreed that they wouldn’t switched from branded to generic medicine

28
PEOPLE’S SATISFACTION TOWARDS PRICE (AFFORDABILITY):

SCALE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Strongly satisfied 70 15
satisfied 17 10
neutral 5 13
Not satisfied 5 22
Strongly not satisfied 2 40
Total 100 100

SATISFACTION BASED ON PRICE

5%2%
5%
strongly satisfied

17% satisfied
neutral
dissatisfied
70% strongly dissatisfied

INTERPRETATION:

From the graph it is analysed that 70% people strongly satisfied with the price and
17% people are satisfied with the price.5% are in dilemma about the price.5% people are
dissatisfied with the price.2% are strongly disagree with the price.

29
SATISFACTION BASED ON QUALITY:

SCALE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Strongly satisfied 63 63
Satisfied 22 22
Neutral 17 17
Dissatisfied 3 3
Strongly dissatisfied 5 5
Total 100 100

satisfaction based on the quality

3% 5%

17% Strongly satisfied

satisfied

63% neutral
22%
dissatisfied
Strongly dissatisfied

INTERPRETATION:

From the chart it is analysed that 63% are strongly satisfied with the quality of the
medicine.22% are satisfied with the quality of the medicine.17% have no idea about the
price of the product.3% are dissatisfied with the price and 5% are strongly dissatisfied
with the price.

30
SATISFACTION BASED ON AVAILABILITY:

SCALE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Strongly satisfied 53 53
satisfied 20 20
neutral 9 9
dissatisfied 10 10
Strongly dissatisfied 18 18
Total 100 100

SATISFACTION BASED ON AVAILABILITY

60% 53%

50%

40%
SATISFACTION BASED ON
30%
20% AVAILABILITY
18%
20%
9% 10%
10%

0%
Strongly satisfied
satisfied neutral dissatisfied
Strongly dissatisfied

INTERPRETATION:

53% are strongly satisfied with the availability of medicines.20% are satisfied with the
availability.9% are in dilemma.10% are dissatisfied with availability and 18% are
strongly dissatisfied with the availability and distribution.

31
 CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

FINDINGS:

The primary research was, “The study on awareness of Jan Aushadhi Medical
Store”. Using the factor’s quality, Price, availability, accessibility,Satisfaction,
comparison between generic and branded medicine, government initiative measures
across the demographic factor gender the analysis was done. The findings of the study
are listed below.
o It is interpreted that the age group (18-25) have actively participated when compared
to other age groups.
o It is interpreted that Male respondents (58%) are more than female (42%) respondents
o It is analysed that 55% of people are unaware of Jan Aushadhi Medicines 55% of
peoples were unaware of Jan Aushadhi and all agreed that branded medicines are
expensive and wanted cheaper alternatives.
o 45% strongly agreed that government have to take more initiative measures to make
more awareness about generic medicine.40% agreed that government need to take
initiative measures for promotion.12% have nothing to say about this.2% disagreed
about creating awareness1% strongly agreed that need no awareness as people know
about this scheme.
o 49% strongly agreed that they know about the location of near-by Jan Aushadhi
Medical store.31% agreed that they know about the location of Jan Aushadhi Medical
Store.10% people are in dilemma.4% don’t know about the location of Jan Aushadhi
Medical Store.6% strongly agreed that they don’t know about the location of Jan
Aushadhi Medical Store.
o 42% people strongly agreed and 40% agreed that their economic condition
influencing them to buy generic medicines.5% are in dilemma to tell their economic
condition is the reason to prefer generic medicine.13% people are disagreed that their
economic condition is not the reason to prefer generic medicines.
o 40% people are strongly believing that generic medicines are reactive.22% believing
that these medicines are reactive.13% people have no idea about the effect of

32
 medicine.10% people believing that it is less reactive and 15% strongly believing that
it is slow reactive when compared to branded medicines.
o While comparing branded medicine and generic medicine. It is founded that 70%
people strongly agreed that price of generic medicine is cheaper than branded
medicine.12% agreed that price of generic medicine is cheaper than branded
medicine.10% have no idea about the price.8% are disagreed that some of the generic
medicines are costlier than branded medicines.2% strongly disagreed that generic
medicine is cheaper.
o 47% are strongly agreed that quality of generic medicine is same as the quality of
branded medicines.43% are agreed that quality of generic is same as branded
medicine.4% are in dilemma. 6% are in disagreed that the quality is not same.10%
strongly disagreed that quality of generic is not equal to branded medicine.
o 82% of people are strongly agreed that generic medicine is equally effective as
branded medicine.9% agreed it is equally effective as branded medicine.3% are not
able to take decision regarding effectiveness.4% are disagreed that generic medicine
is effective.2% strongly disagreed that it is effective.
o 12% are strongly agreed that generic medicines are accessible in their area.13% are
agreed that medicines are accessible in their area.3% have not reveal their opinion.
24% are disagreed about accessibility when compared to branded medicine.48% are
strongly disagreed that generic medicine about accessibility when compared to
branded medicine.
o 60% strongly agreed that after hearing about generic medicine which is available at
low cost they switched from branded to generic medicine.10% agreed that they
switched from branded to generic medicine.3% are in dilemma.7% are using branded
medicine.27% are strongly disagreed that they wouldn’t switched from branded to
generic medicine

33
SUGGESTIONS:

 The concept of Jan Aushadhi stores launched by the Indian Government is also not
picking up, although the generic medicines with lower MRP as compared to their
equivalent branded counterpart are available at such stores. This scheme needs to be
given a strong push up at all levels.
 Government should take initiative to promote generics by campaigning about the
benefits of choosing generic medicines to cut down out of pocket health care
expenditure without compromising the quality. Much emphasis needs to be laid upon
the teaching/ training of physicians, who need to be informed of the good quality of
 Government should sponsor studies on comparison of branded with generics
 Need to allow generic companies to advertise their quality
 Active co-ordination and co-operation between the Central & State Governments, is
essential for the running of Jan Aushadhi stores successfully
 Government and MCI should strictly monitor that all prescribers prescribe medicines
by generic names (and not by brands). Strict penal action be initiated in all cases of
non-compliance, by prescribers.

34
 CONCLUSION:

The study highlights the perceptive of people who are aware and unaware about generic
medicine.People who newly heared about generic medicine are willing to buy generic
medicine.Most of them accepted that the reason for preferring generic medicine is their
economic condition.Considering the factor Initiative measures taken by government
people need more awareness in terms of educating programmes,campaigns,promoting on
newspaper,Tv etc.,People who know about this medical store getting beneficiary as
medicine are available at low cost.As many of them spending 25% of their income for
healthcare.This Scheme highly satisfied the people in Coimbatore.

35
BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. 1. Avinash Darekar, Isha Patel, Marilee Clemons3, Xi Tan, Rajat Rana, Deepak
Bhatia, Jongwha Chang et.al., (2016).“Dispensing Practices in India and United
States”, Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Community Medicine, Vol. 2 Issue 3 e-
ISSN: 2455-3255.
2. Anita Kotwani et al., (2010). “Will generic drug stores improve access to essential
medicines for the poor in India?” Journal of Public Health Policy Vol. 31.
3. Sandeep kumar Gupta,Roopa Prasad Nayak, surendra kumar vidyarti et al.,
(2015). ‘A study on knowledge, Attitude, and practice of generic medicines among
the doctors in a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India’. Vol 5 Issue 1.
4. Singhal g.l., kotwani Anita and Nanda Arun et.al., (2011). ‘Jan Aushadhi Stores In
India And Quality Of Medicines Therein’. International Journal of Pharmacy and
Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol 3, Issue 1, 2011.
5. Prasanna R.Deshpande,Mohd KazimSheriff,Atmaram P. Pawar et.al.,(2018)
‘Functioning and Productivity of Jan Aushadhi Stores in India: The Owner’s
Perspective’. Chrismed Journal of Health and Research.
6. Bhupender Singh, Arun Nanda, Vikaas Budhwar et.al.,(2015) ‘ An Update On
Initiatives Taken By Indian Government To Promote’. International Journal of
Pharmaceutical Research and Bio-science, Volume 4(5).
7. Vinuth Chikkamath, Anantha Naik Nagappa et.al.,(2016). “Pradhan Mantari Jan
Aushadi Kendra − Demonetarization of Medicine Prices in India”. Research Gate.
Volume 4, Issue 6.
8. Vijay Khajuria, Shamiya Sadiq, Kanika Khajuria et.al.,(2017). Knowledge,
attitude, and practices toward Jan Aushadhi scheme. National Journal of Physiology,
Pharmacy and Pharmacology. Vol 7,Issue 9.
9. Richa Tibrewal, Shilpi Rastogi simran, Kour, Shilpi Jain et.al.,(2018). “Rajasthan’s
First Jan Aushadhi Kendra at Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women’s”.volume– 1, issue – 2
(april - june - 2018)page no: 340-348.
10. Rupesh Rastogi & Virendra Kumar et.al.,(2018). Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan
Aushadhi Yojana: Benefit to common man ISSN: 2455-3085 volume-3 Issue-05
Research Review International Journal of Multidisciplinary.

36
11. Swapna Jha, (2017). Overview - janaushadhi scheme

12. WHO-GenericDefinitionRetrievedfrom:
http://www.who.int/trade/glossary/story034/en/.
13. Jan Aushadhi, Government of India, BPPI, (Retrieved from
http://janaushadhi.gov.in/faq.html)
14. Kotwani Anita, Nanda Arun and Singhal G.L.: Jan Aushadhi stores in India and
quality of medicines therein. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Sciences 2010; Vol 3(Issue1): (Retrieved from: http://www.
ijppsjournal.com/Vol3Issue1/1065.pdf).
15. Ghosh Abantika: Plan for free generic drugs scheme shelved, 22 May 2013,
(http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/plan-for-free-generic-drugs-scheme-
shelved/1118885/) .
16. http://pharmaceuticals.gov.in/act
17. http://janaushadhi.gov.in/
18. https://innovareacademics.in/journal/ijpps/Vol3Issue1/1065.pdf
19. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26534545
20. http://www.indiamedicaltimes.com/2012/10/07/rajasthans-free-medicine-scheme-
benefits-2-lakh-people-daily/

37
 APPENDIX
A STUDY ON AWARENESS OF JAN-AUSHADHI MEDICAL STORE

QUESTIONNAIRE

Tick the answer from the following.

1. Age
 18-25  26-35 36-45  46-60 60above
2. Gender
 Male  Female
3. What Occupation are you doing?
 Student
 Employed
 Retired
 others
4. Marital status
 Married  Un married
5. Which class you belong to?
 Upper
 Upper middleclass
 Lower middle class
 People below poverty line.

6. Are you heard about of Pradan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Pari Yojana Kendra scheme?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree

7. Did you know any medical store nearby your area where Jan Aushadhi Medicines are
available?
 Strongly agree
 agree

38
  neutral
 disagree
 strongly disagree
8. Would you like to know about such medical stores?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly agree
9. Did you agree that branded medicines are costlier?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 disagree
 strongly disagree
10. Would you like to know about other cheaper alternatives for branded medicines?
 Strongly agree
 agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
11. Did you ever hear about generic medicines which are available at low cost?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 disagree
 strongly disagree

12. Have you ever experienced in buying the Jan Aushadhi Medicine?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral

39
  Disagree
 Strongly disagreee
13. Will you accept that generic drugs are of good quality equally to branded medicine?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
14. Do you think that it is far better than buying branded medicine in terms of price?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
15. Did you agree that generic medicine is equally reactive compared to branded
medicine?
 Strongly agree
 agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
16. Did you face any issues while buying medicines like shortages of medicines in
medical stores?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree

17. Would you like the government to come up with more initiatives measures and strict
laws in implementing of Jan aushadhi scheme?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral

40
  Disagree
 Strongly disagree

18. Do you need more information about Jan-Aushadhi Medicine on Medias,

Newspapers, and Magazines?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
19. Do you think distribution of these medicines eventually reaches all people below
poverty line?
 Strongly agree
 agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly Disagree
20. Do you find that Jan Aushadhi medicines following FDA (food and administration)
guidelines?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
21. Did you think that Jan Aushadhi medicines are equally effective and cost less when
compared to branded medicines?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree

41