Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India
With an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India. Under this scheme, dedicated outlets known as Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) are opened to provide generic medicines. The objective of this Pariyojana is to ensure access to quality medicines for all the section of the population especially for the poor and the deprived ones and create awareness about generic medicines through education and publicity to counter the perception that quality is synonymous with high price only. The government has adopted a franchisee like model and individual entrepreneurs to apply for establishing and running Jan Aushadhi Kendra was undertaken. As on 31.01.2025, 15000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are functional across the country. Product basket of PMBJP comprises 2047 drugs and 300 surgical equipment which are sold at retail shops at 50% to 80% cheaper than branded medicines. Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), Government has set a target to open 25000 JAKs by 31st March, 2027 across the country. The target of opening 15000 JAKs by March, 2025 has already been achieved by PMBI on 31.01.2025.
The Scheme is operated by government agencies as well as by private entrepreneurs.
The government provides incentive to Jan Aushadhi Kendra owners to be given @ 20% of monthly purchases made, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 20,000/- per month in light of stocking mandate. Also, one-time incentive of Rs. 2.00 lakh is given to the PMBJP Kendras opened in North-Eastern States, Himalayan areas, Island territories and backward areas mentioned as aspirational district by NITI Aayog or opened by women entrepreneur, Ex-servicemen, Divyang, SC & ST for meeting out expenses on furniture, computer, refrigerator and other fixtures.
Under PMBJP, the medicines are procured from World Health Organization – Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers only, for ensuring the quality of the products. Each batch of drug after its receipt at the warehouses is tested at laboratories accredited by ‘National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories’ (NABL) for ensuring best quality. Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) places highest importance to the quality parameters and regularly conducts checks to ensure good quality of medicines.
A medicine under PMBJP is priced on the principle of a maximum of 50% of the average price of top three branded medicines. Therefore, the cost of the Jan Aushadhi Medicines is cheaper at least by 50% and in some cases, by 80% of the market price of branded medicines. PMBJP has drastically brought down the prices of more than 2047 quality medicines and making these medicines available within the reach of large section of population, especially the poor. In order to cover large category of medicines, 29 Major Therapeutic Groups like Antibiotics & Anti-infectives, Anti-Cancer, Anti-Diabetics, Cardiovascular Drugs, Analgesics and Antipyretic, Anti-Allergic, Gastro- Intestinal Agents, Vitamins & Minerals, Food supplements/Nutraceuticals, Topical Medicines etc have been covered in PMBJP basket. Further, 300 Surgical Equipment & Consumable like Masks, Orthopedic Rehabilitation Products, Surgical Dressings, Syringes & Needles, Sanitary Napkins, Sutures, Diapers, Rubber Gloves, Oximeter, Rapid Antigen Test Kit, etc have also been covered under PMBJP basket.
To meet such a robust demand for the whole nation, large scale procurement is the first step. Information Technology (IT) enabled End-to-End supply chain system with Point- of-Sale (POS) application for value added services has been implemented in PMBJP.
PMBJP has implemented end to end supply chain management system. There are five warehouses at Gurugram, Chennai, Bengaluru, Guwahati and Surat. These are backed by SAP based inventory management system. Now, demand forecasting is done by SAP based system and orders are placed as per the desired inventory levels. There is a strong distributor network of 36 distributors across India. Further, direct supply to stores from warehouses is also done. Thus, a competitive system has been created where stores have an option to procure from distributors or PMBI warehouse directly.
During the past 10 years, phenomenal progress has been made by the PMBJP. In last 10 years, there has been 180 times growth in number of Kendras which were only 80 in 2014 and have now grown to more than 15000 Kendras covering all districts of the country. In the financial year i.e., 2023-24, PMBJP has made sales of Rs. 1470 Crore (at MRP) which has led to savings of approximately Rs. 7350 Cr. to the citizens. In the current financial year i.e., 2024-25, PMBJP has made sales of Rs. 1606 Crore (at MRP)
till 31.01.2025. In last 10 years, the no. of Kendras have increased by 180 times and the sales have also increased more than 200 times. In all, during the past 10 years, total savings of approximately Rs. 30,000 crores for the citizens have been possible due to this noble scheme.
This scheme which is entrepreneurship based and runs on a franchise model is also providing a good source of self-employment with sustainable and regular earnings. For rural coverage, PMBJP was integrated with cooperative sector PACS to maximize benefits of PMBJP Kendra’s in interior parts of the country. This is focused to pass the benefits of PMBJP to both consumers and entrepreneurs who wants to start their own business. Till 31 st January 2025, 719 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened in Primary Agriculture Credit Society category.
In order to ensure easy availability of the menstrual health services to all women across India, the “Janaushadhi Suvidha Oxy-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin” was launched on 27th August 2019, which are available for sale in all JAKs across the country @ Rs. 1.00 per sanitary pad. Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Napkins are being made available for sale in more than 15000 PMBJP Kendras across the country. Since inception till 31.01.2025, over 72 crore Janaushadhi Suvidha Sanitary pads have been sold through these Kendras.
To facilitate IT based mobile interface, the mobile application “Jan Aushadhi Sugam” has various user-friendly options like – to locate nearby Jan Aushadhi Kendra through Google map, search Jan Aushadhi generic medicines, compare prices of Generic v/s Branded medicines in terms of MRP, etc.
In order to provide impetus to this noble project, Hon’ble Prime Minister declared the 7 th of March to be celebrated every year as Jan Aushadhi Diwas, with a view to enhance awareness about the scheme and promote generic medicines. As in earlier years, week-long events are planned at various locations across the country from 1 st to 7 th of March 2025. The proposed events include organising of seminars, health camps, heritage and health walks and other activities for securing large-scale participation of public representatives, doctors, students, beneficiaries, children, women and civil society. The 7 days programme themes are as under: –
1 st March (Saturday) – Jan Aushadhi Jan Chetna Abhiyan/Pad Yatra
2 nd March (Sunday) – Jan Arogya Mela (Heritage Walks and Health Camps)
3 rd March (Monday) – Jan Aushadhi Bal Mitra Participation
4 th March (Tuesday) – Jan Aushadhi – Ek Kadam Matri Shakti Ki Ore – Women Participation
5 th March (Wednesday) – Jan Aushadhi Seminar – Pharmacist Awareness
6 th March (Thursday) – Jan Aushadhi Mitra Registration Campaign
7 th March (Friday) – 7th Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2025 – Celebration
Regular updates will be available on Jan Aushadhi website www.janaushadhi.gov.in and
social media platforms @pmbjppmbi
