**Executive Summary**
This report details the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in providing affordable generic medicines. As of February 2026, 18,646 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) are operational, with a target to expand to 25,000 centers by March 2027. Key focus areas include supply chain digitization, financial incentives for owners, and significant reductions in out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure for citizens.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Network Expansion and Targets**
* A total of 18,646 JAKs were opened across India by February 28, 2026, including 727 in Maharashtra and 634 in Madhya Pradesh.
* The government has set a deadline of March 31, 2027, to increase the total number of JAKs to 25,000, focusing on underserved and tribal districts.
* JAKs are opened through a franchise-like model involving individual entrepreneurs, NGOs, trusts, and private companies.
**Product Basket and Economic Impact**
* The product basket has grown to 2,425 items, comprising 2,110 medicines and 315 surgicals, consumables, and devices.
* The inventory covers all major therapeutic groups and almost all generic medicines in the National List of Essential Medicines (excluding vaccines and lab reagents).
* The use of Janaushadhi products has resulted in total consumer savings of ₹40,000 crores in "Out-of-Pocket Expenditure."
**Supply Chain and Incentives**
* An IT-enabled supply chain is in place, utilizing five warehouses and 41 distributors nationwide.
* Procurement is supported by automated, digitized demand forecasting for 400 fast-moving products.
* JAK owners receive a monthly incentive of 10% of purchases (capped at ₹10,000).
* Additional incentives of up to ₹10,000 per month are provided for maintaining stocks of 200 high-demand medicines.
**Administrative Support**
* State and Union Territory governments are requested to provide rent-free space for JAKs within government hospitals and primary health centers.
* Local administrations are urged to create awareness about the availability of affordable medicines under the scheme.
**Impact Analysis**
**Jan Aushadhi Kendra (JAK) Owners**
**Impact**
Owners benefit from a structured incentive model and IT-backed supply chain support to ensure product availability.
**Action Required**
Must maintain requisite stocks of 200 high-demand products and utilize the online application process for franchise setup.
**General Public / Consumers**
**Impact**
Citizens gain access to a wider variety of affordable essential medicines, leading to significant financial savings on healthcare.
**Action Required**
No direct action required other than utilizing the centers for medical needs.
**State and Union Territory Governments**
**Impact**
Responsible for facilitating the infrastructure and public reach of the scheme at the local level.
**Action Required**
Identify and provide rent-free spaces in government healthcare facilities and conduct awareness campaigns.
**Entrepreneurs and NGOs**
**Impact**
The franchise model provides an opportunity for private entities to participate in the healthcare delivery system.
**Action Required**
Submit online applications to open JAKs in private or government premises.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): A flagship government scheme aimed at making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all through dedicated retail outlets.
Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs): Dedicated retail outlets established under the PMBJP to provide generic medicines, surgical items, and medical consumables to the public.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI): The implementing agency under the Department of Pharmaceuticals responsible for procurement, supply chain management, and monitoring of the PMBJP scheme.
National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM): A referenced list of medicines used to determine the product basket of generic drugs offered under the PMBJP scheme.
Department of Pharmaceuticals: The primary department under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers responsible for the policy formulation and oversight of the PMBJP.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers :
Department of Pharmaceuticals
Availability of Affordable Generic Medicines
Posted On: 20 MAR 2026 2:51PM by PIB Delhi
Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme, a total of 18,646 JAKs are opened till
28.02.2026 across the country, of which 727 Kendras opened in the state of Maharashtra and 634 Kendras
in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
The product basket under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Yojna has 2,110 medicines and 315
surgicals, medical consumables and devices, covering all major therapeutic groups, such as
cardiovascular, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-infectives, anti-allergic and gastro-intestinal medicines and
nutraceuticals. Almost all generic medicines included in the National List of Essential Medicines, except
lab reagents and vaccines, are part of the product basket.
The product basket of items has grown from 1654 items to 2425 items over the past 5 years. The financial
year wise growth in product basket of PMBJP during the last five financial years is as under:-
Sl. No. Financial Year Number of Medicines Total
1. 2020-21 1450 1654
2. 2021-22 1616 1866
3. 2022-23 1759 2039
4. 2023-24 2047 2347
5. 2024-25 2110 2425
Under the scheme, incentive to JAK owners is given at rate of 10% of monthly purchases, of Janaushadhi
products purchased from Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), subject to a
ceiling of ₹10,000 per month. In addition, JAK owners are also provided incentive of up to ₹10,000 per
month for maintaining requisite stock of 200 high-demand products.
With a view to address any supply gaps and ensure smooth supply and product availability at JAKs, the
following measures are in place:
i. An end-to-end information-technology-enabled supply chain system consisting currently of
five warehouses and 41 distributors across the country, is in place.
ii. Since September 2024, stocking by Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) of 200 commonly used
medicines, consisting of the 100 top-selling medicines in the product basket and 100 fast-
selling medicines in the market, is incentivised with JAK owners being eligible to receive
monthly incentive based on the stocks that they maintain of these medicines.iii. In addition, with a view to ensure availability of commonly used products, 400 fast-moving
products are monitored regularly by the scheme implementing agency {Pharmaceuticals and
Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)} and demand for the same is forecasted on an
ongoing basis. Further, steps have been taken to digitise the forecasting method to augment
the procurement process through automation.
Total savings of ₹ 40,000 crores by way of reduced "Out-of-Pocket Expenditure” on medicines on account
of use of Janaushadhi Products.
With a view to ensure wider availability of affordable medicines across the country, including underserved
and tribal districts, the Government has set a target to increase in the total number of JAKs opened across
the country to 25,000 by end of March 2027.
The Government has adopted a franchise-like model for opening of JAKs by inviting online applications
from individual entrepreneurs, non-governmental organisations, societies, trusts, firms, private companies,
etc. This process facilitates opening of JAKs at private spaces as well as Government premises in a similar
manner.
State and Union Territory Governments and district administrations are requested from time to time to
create awareness about the scheme and to provide rent-free space for opening Jan Aushadhi Kendras
(JAKs) in government hospitals, community health centres and primary health centres.
This information was given by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a
written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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