**Executive Summary**
The 8th Janaushadhi Diwas, marking the culmination of Janaushadhi Saptah 2026, was celebrated nationwide from March 1st to 7th, 2026. The event highlighted the government's vision to expand the Janaushadhi network to 25,000 Kendras by next year and recognized outstanding performing Janaushadhi Kendras.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Janaushadhi Diwas Celebration:**
* The 8th Janaushadhi Diwas was celebrated enthusiastically across the country.
* It marked the end of the week-long Janaushadhi Saptah 2026.
* Programs were organized at 25 locations nationwide.
* **Government Vision and Expansion:**
* The government aims to expand the Janaushadhi network to 25,000 Kendras by next year.
* The Janaushadhi initiative is viewed as a people's movement and contributes to building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
* **Awards and Recognition:**
* Awards were presented to outstanding Janaushadhi Kendras for performance, service delivery, and awareness building.
* 13 Janaushadhi Kendras were recognized during the event.
* **Scheme Objectives and Impact:**
* The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) aims to make healthcare more affordable and accessible.
* It promotes quality generic medicines at significantly lower prices.
* The scheme empowers women entrepreneurs, with over 8,000 of the 18,000+ Kendras operated by women.
* **Strengthening the Programme:**
* Focus areas include ensuring highest quality standards and increasing public awareness of generic medicines.
* Improving regular supply and distribution to strengthen the supply chain.
* Ensuring sustainable margins for Kendra operators.
* **Janaushadhi Saptah Activities (March 1st - 7th, 2026):**
* Over 250 health check-up camps were organized for free medical consultations and diagnostics.
* Pad Yatras were conducted at over 30 locations to spread awareness about affordable generic medicines.
* **Entrepreneurship and Employment:**
* The initiative promotes entrepreneurship and employment generation.
* Interested individuals can apply to open a Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra via Janaushadhi.gov.in.
* Financial assistance and incentives are provided to support entrepreneurs.
* **Digital Access:**
* The 'Janaushadhi Sugam' mobile application facilitates locating the nearest Kendra and accessing information on available medicines.
**Impact Analysis**
**Janaushadhi Kendra Owners**
* **Impact:** Recognized for outstanding performance, contributing to the scheme's success. Potential for future growth and sustainability of their centers due to government focus on margins and supply chain.
* **Action Required:** Continue to provide quality service and promote awareness of generic medicines. Explore opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship through the scheme.
**Citizens**
* **Impact:** Increased access to affordable and quality generic medicines. Improved healthcare accessibility and affordability. Opportunity to receive free medical consultations and diagnostics through health camps.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the 'Janaushadhi Sugam' mobile application to locate Kendras and access medicine information. Participate in awareness activities and adopt generic medicines.
**Women Entrepreneurs**
* **Impact:** Significant livelihood opportunities and empowerment through operating Janaushadhi Kendras.
* **Action Required:** Continue to operate and expand their entrepreneurial ventures within the scheme.
**Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for organizing events and managing the Janaushadhi network. Needs to ensure supply chain efficiency, product quality, and consistent branding.
* **Action Required:** Ensure rapid expansion of the network is supported by efficient supply chains, quality control, and uniform branding and labeling.
**Government (Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Department of Pharmaceuticals)**
* **Impact:** Driving the expansion of the Janaushadhi network and reinforcing its commitment to accessible healthcare.
* **Action Required:** Continue to focus on the three key areas for strengthening the program: quality and awareness, supply chain improvement, and sustainable margins for operators.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): A government scheme aimed at providing affordable and quality generic medicines through a network of Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs): Retail outlets established under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana to sell generic medicines.
Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI): The implementing agency for the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.
Department of Pharmaceuticals: A government department responsible for the implementation and oversight of pharmaceutical policies and programs.
Janaushadhi Sugam mobile application: A digital platform that helps citizens locate Janaushadhi Kendras and access information about available medicines.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers :
Department of Pharmaceuticals
8th Janaushadhi Diwas Celebrated Across the
Country with Enthusiastic Participation
Union Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda Highlights
Government’s Vision to Expand Janaushadhi Network to
25,000 Kendras by Next Year
Awards Presented to Outstanding Janaushadhi Kendras
Posted On: 07 MAR 2026 6:26PM by PIB Delhi
Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers and Smt Anupriya Patel, Minister
of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers presented awards to best performing Janaushadhi Kendra owners.
The 8th Janaushadhi Diwas was celebrated with enthusiasm across the country today, marking the
culmination of the week-long Janaushadhi Saptah 2026 celebrations organised by Pharmaceuticals &
Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals
and Fertilizers,
Programs were organised at 25 locations across the country to commemorate the occasion, where
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) owners were honoured for their
outstanding performance and contribution towards promoting affordable and quality medicines under thePradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, attended the event
organised at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi as the Chief Guest. The event was also graced by Smt.
Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, as the Guest of Honour, and
Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, as the Special Guest, along with senior
officials, representatives of PMBI, JanaushadhiKendra operators, and beneficiaries of the scheme.
Awards were presented to 13 Janaushadhi Kendras across the country including Tamil Nadu, West
Bengal, Delhi. These Kendras were recognised for their outstanding sales performance, efficient service
delivery, and commitment to spreading awareness about quality generic medicines among citizens.
Through their continued efforts, JanaushadhiKendras have emerged as important community healthcare
access points, helping citizens access quality generic medicines at significantly lower prices.
Addressing the gathering Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, highlighted the transformative impact of the
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana in making healthcare more affordable and
accessible for citizens across the country.
Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers addressing the 8th
Janaushadhi Diwas gathering at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Shri Nadda said the Government will continue to focus on three key areas to strengthen the programme
further. First, ensuring the highest standards of quality and increasing public awareness about the
quality of generic medicines so that more people confidently opt for them. Second, improving regular
supply and distribution, with continuous efforts being made to further strengthen the supply chain so
that medicines remain readily available at all Janaushdi Kendras across the country. Third, ensuring
sustainable margins for Kendra operators, so that the initiative continues to remain viable for
entrepreneurs running these centres.
The Minister further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Janaushdi
initiative has evolved into an andolan, a people’s movement, and the Government remains committed to
taking it forward with renewed determination. He also highlighted that the scheme is creating significant
opportunities for self-employment through Janaushdi Kendras, contributing to the vision of building a
Viksit Bharat by 2047.Reaffirming the Government’s commitment towards accessible healthcare, Shri Nadda stated that the
Janaushadhi initiative represents a significant step towards ensuring that no citizen is deprived of essential
medicines due to financial constraints.
Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Ministry of Chemicals &
Fertilizers addressing the 8th Janaushadhi Diwas gathering at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and
Fertilizers, highlighted the important role played by the scheme in empowering women entrepreneurs
across the country. She noted that the Janaushadhi Pariyojana has not only strengthened access to
affordable medicines but has also created significant livelihood opportunities for women.
The Minister said out of 18,000+ Janaushadhi Kendras more than 8000 Kendras are being operated by
women, demonstrating how the scheme has empowered women to become successful entrepreneurs.Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals said as the Janaushadhi network continues to
expand rapidly, it is essential for PMBI to ensure supply chain efficiency, quality of products and
consistency in branding and labelling for uniformity across the network and to avoid operational
challenges.
Week-long Janaushadhi Saptah Witnesses Massive Public Participation
The celebration of Janaushadhi Diwas marked the culmination of Janaushadhi Saptah 2026, a
nationwide outreach initiative conducted from 1st March to 7th March 2026 to promote awareness about
affordable and quality generic medicines.
Throughout the week, a series of activities were organised across the country to engage citizens and
encourage them to adopt generic medicines. From March 1- 5, over 250 health check-up camps were
organised where citizens received free medical consultations, diagnostic services, and Janaushadhi
medicines.
On the sixth day, Pad Yatras were organised at more than 30 locations across the country, where
participants including students, healthcare professionals, Kendra operators and community members
walked through major public areas to spread awareness about affordable generic medicines.
These activities collectively helped generate large-scale public engagement and awareness leading up to
the nationwide celebration of Janaushadhi Diwas.
Encouraging Entrepreneurship and Public Participation
In addition to improving access to medicines, the Janaushadhi initiative also promotes entrepreneurship
and employment generation.Pharmacists, doctors, entrepreneurs, and eligible individuals interested in
opening a Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra can apply through the official website www.
Janaushadhi.gov.in. Financial assistance and incentives are provided under the scheme to support
entrepreneurs in establishing Kendras while contributing to the nation’s healthcare mission.
Digital Access to Affordable Medicines
Citizens can also access information about Janaushadhi Kendras and medicines through the ‘Janaushadhi
Sugam’ mobile application, which helps users locate the nearest Kendra and obtain information about
available medicines. The mobile application has become an important digital platform that enables citizens
to easily access information related to affordable medicines and nearby Janaushadhi Kendras.
****
PC/PM
(Release ID: 2236418) Visitor Counter : 220
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Marathi