Pashu Aushadhi Kendras: Affordable Veterinary Medicines Under LHDCP

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Pashu Aushadhi Kendras Latest News
• Pashu Aushadhi Initiative Based on Janaushadhi Kendras
• Pashu Aushadhi to Improve Livestock Health
• Significance of Pashu Aushadhi
• Pashu Aushadhi Kendras to Offer Traditional Medicines
• Pashu Aushadhi Kendras FAQs

Pashu Aushadhi Kendras Latest News

• The government will launch "Pashu Aushadhi" stores nationwide to provide affordable generic veterinary medicines. This initiative is part of the revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP), approved by the Union Cabinet headed by PM Modi.
• The Pashu Aushadhi stores will be managed by cooperative societies and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK). The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying will soon release operational guidelines for these stores.

Pashu Aushadhi Initiative Based on Janaushadhi Kendras

• The Pashu Aushadhi initiative is modeled after the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs), which offer affordable generic medicines to reduce healthcare costs for citizens.

Existing Janaushadhi Kendras

• Currently, over 10,300 PMBJKs operate across India under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. 
• The country will observe Janaushadhi Diwas on March 7.

Generic Medicines for Animals

• While PMBJKs provide generic medicines for humans, Pashu Aushadhi Kendras will offer non-branded, cost-effective veterinary medicines for animal healthcare.

Pashu Aushadhi to Improve Livestock Health

• Recently, the Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, has approved the revision of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) to enhance animal healthcare and disease prevention.
  • The Pashu Aushadhi initiative is a key part of the revised LHDCP.

Components of LHDCP

• National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) – Focuses on controlling major livestock diseases.
• Livestock Health & Disease Control (LH&DC) – Has three sub-components: 
  • Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP) – Targets severe animal diseases.
  • Establishment and Strengthening of Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries - Mobile Veterinary Units (ESVHD-MVU) – Provides mobile veterinary services for doorstep healthcare.
  • Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD) – Supports states in tackling livestock diseases.
• Pashu Aushadhi (New Component) – Aims to improve access to affordable generic veterinary medicines through PM-Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and Cooperative Societies.

Financial Allocation for LHDCP

• The LHDCP has a total outlay of ₹3,880 crore for 2024-25 and 2025-26. 
• Out of this, ₹75 crore has been allocated for providing quality and affordable generic veterinary medicines and incentives for their sale under the Pashu Aushadhi component.

Objectives and Benefits of LHDCP

• Disease Prevention – Controls Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, PPR, Classical Swine Fever, Lumpy Skin Disease, etc., through vaccination and immunization.
• Livestock Healthcare – Enhances disease surveillance and strengthens veterinary infrastructure.
• Economic and Social Impact – Boosts livestock productivity, prevents economic losses for farmers, generates rural employment, and promotes entrepreneurship in the veterinary sector.

Significance of Pashu Aushadhi

• As per the 20th Livestock Census (2019), India’s livestock population stands at 535.78 million, including 302.79 million bovines (cattle, buffalo, mithun, and yak).

Impact of Livestock Diseases

• Various diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), and Lumpy Skin Disease significantly reduce livestock productivity. 
• While vaccination drives have been implemented, farmers still face high out-of-pocket expenses on medicines for their animals.

Role of LHDCP in Disease Prevention

• The Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) aims to reduce economic losses by preventing livestock diseases through immunization and improving access to affordable veterinary medicines.

Pashu Aushadhi Kendras to Offer Traditional Medicines

• Apart from generic veterinary medicines, Pashu Aushadhi Kendras will also sell ethnoveterinary medicines, which are based on traditional beliefs and indigenous knowledge to treat animal diseases.

Ethnoveterinary Formulations for Livestock Health

• The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has compiled traditional remedies for treating various ailments in bovines.
• This includes Mastitis; Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) – mouth and foot lesions; Fever; Diarrhoea etc.

Ingredients in Traditional Animal Medicines

• Ethnoveterinary formulations use natural ingredients such as coriander, garlic, bay leaves, pepper, cumin, turmeric, chirata, betel, tulsi, neem, sweet basil, jaggery, and onions for treating conditions like fever in animals.

Pashu Aushadhi Kendras FAQs

Q1. What are Pashu Aushadhi Kendras?

Ans. Pashu Aushadhi Kendras are stores offering affordable generic veterinary medicines under the revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP).

Q2. Who will manage Pashu Aushadhi Kendras?

Ans. These stores will be managed by cooperative societies and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK).

Q3. How does LHDCP support livestock health?

Ans. LHDCP funds vaccinations, veterinary services, and affordable medicines to prevent major livestock diseases like FMD, Brucellosis, and PPR.

Q4. Will traditional medicines be available at Pashu Aushadhi Kendras?

Ans. Yes, these stores will offer ethnoveterinary medicines using natural ingredients like neem, turmeric, and tulsi for animal treatment.

Q5. What is the financial allocation for Pashu Aushadhi Kendras?

Ans. ₹75 crore has been allocated under LHDCP to provide quality veterinary medicines and sales incentives.

Source: IE | PIB