**Executive Summary**
This report details the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in providing quality generic medicines at 50% to 80% lower costs than branded alternatives. It highlights the government's target to expand the network of Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) to 20,000 outlets nationwide by March 31, 2026. The document also outlines the multi-channel awareness strategies employed to promote the acceptability of generic drugs across India.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Scheme Objectives and Product Basket**
* **Affordability:** The PMBJP provides generic medicines at prices significantly lower (50%–80%) than branded versions.
* **Product Range:** The current basket includes 2,110 medicines and 315 surgicals, medical consumables, and devices.
* **Therapeutic Coverage:** The scheme covers major groups, including cardiovascular, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-infectives, anti-allergic, gastro-intestinal medicines, and nutraceuticals.
**Promotion and Awareness Initiatives**
* **Multi-Media Campaigns:** The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) utilizes print, television, radio, social media, and outdoor hoardings to educate the public.
* **Digital Outreach:** Engagement is pursued through WhatsApp chatbots and outbound calls to inform citizens about quality and savings.
* **Jan Aushadhi Week:** Held annually in the first week of March, featuring health camps, seminars in pharmacy colleges, and public rallies.
* **Expert Endorsements:** Audio/video messages from eminent doctors and public representatives are used to dispel myths regarding the quality of generic medicines.
* **Rural Engagement:** Publicity in local dialects is conducted through *nukkad-nataks*, workshops, and audiovisual displays at Common Service Centres.
**Expansion and Infrastructure**
* **Current Status:** As of February 28, 2026, 1,559 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are operational in Tamil Nadu.
* **National Target:** The government aims to increase the total number of JAKs across India to 20,000 by March 31, 2026.
* **Allocation Policy:** There are no specific state-wise or Union-territory-wise targets for opening new centers.
**Impact Analysis**
**General Citizens**
**Impact:**
Significant reduction in healthcare expenses due to the availability of quality medicines at a 50% to 80% discount compared to branded products.
**Action Required:**
Utilize digital tools like the WhatsApp chatbot to find the nearest JAK and participate in awareness programs to understand the benefits of generic medicines.
**Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)**
**Impact:**
As the implementing agency, they are responsible for the massive scale-up of outlets and the coordination of nationwide awareness campaigns.
**Action Required:**
Continue coordination with various government platforms (PIB, MyGov, etc.) to meet the expansion target of 20,000 JAKs by the March 2026 deadline.
**Healthcare Professionals and Pharmacy Colleges**
**Impact:**
Included in educational outreach to improve the professional acceptance of generic drugs.
**Action Required:**
Engage in seminars and Jan Aushadhi Week activities to help dispel myths regarding the quality and efficacy of generic medicines.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): The flagship government scheme launched to make quality generic medicines available at affordable prices through dedicated outlets.
Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs): Dedicated retail outlets established across the country to provide generic medicines and surgical items at 50% to 80% lower costs than branded versions.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI): The primary implementing agency responsible for executing the PMBJP and conducting nationwide awareness campaigns.
Tamil Nadu: A key state highlighted for its implementation progress, with 1,559 Jan Aushadhi Kendras established as of February 2026.
Jan Aushadhi Week: An annual initiative celebrated in March to promote the benefits of generic medicines through public rallies, health camps, and educational seminars.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers :
Department of Pharmaceuticals
Availability of generic medicines under PMBJKs
Posted On: 17 MAR 2026 3:25PM by PIB Delhi
The Government launched the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme to make quality
generic medicines available at affordable prices to all. Under the scheme, dedicated outlets known as Jan
Aushadhi Kendras are opened across the country to provide medicines at rates that are about 50% to 80%
cheaper than those of branded medicines. 2,110 medicines and 315 surgicals, medical consumables and
devices are under the scheme product basket, covering all major therapeutic groups, such as
cardiovascular, anti-cancers, anti-diabetic, anti-infectives, anti-allergic and gastro-intestinal medicines and
nutraceuticals.
To promote acceptability of medicines supplied through JAKs, targeted awareness campaigns about the
benefits of Janaushadhi medicines are conducted on a regular basis:
i. Awareness campaigns: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), which is the
implementing agency for PMBJP conducts awareness campaigns in coordination with bodies and
platforms such as the Central Bureau of Communication, PIB, MyGov and MY Bharat, in various
modes such as print, television, radio, social media platforms, outdoor hoardings, community
engagement, etc.
ii. Interactive messages/calls: Outreach and citizen engagement are also pursued through WhatsApp
chatbot and outbound calls to inform citizens regarding the quality of Janaushadhi products and the
large savings that accrue from purchase of the same from nearest JAK.
iii. Jan Aushadhi Week: Jan Aushadhi Week is celebrated every year in the first week of March during
which special campaigns such as public rallies, health camps, seminars in pharmacy colleges,
children engagement programmes, etc. are conducted across the nation to educate citizens,
healthcare professionals and other stakeholders about the benefits of Janaushadhi generic medicines.
iv. Messages from eminent persons: Audio/video messages from well-known persons such as public
representatives and eminent doctors are disseminated on social media platforms to highlight the
benefits of Janaushadhi medicines and dispel myths associated with respect to their quality.
v. Public engagement programme in rural areas: To educate citizens in local languages/dialects,
publicity is also done through health camps, nukkad-natak, audiovisual display at Common Service
Centres and public engagement workshops in association with local JAKs in rural areas.
As on 28.02.2026, a total of 1559 Janaushadhi Kendras have been opened in the State of Tamil Nadu.
With a view to ensure wider availability of affordable medicines across the country, including State of
Tamil Nadu, increase in the total number of JAKs opened across the country to 20,000 is targeted by
31.3.2026. There is no State- and Union-territory-wise target for opening of JAKs.This information was given by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a
written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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