**Executive Summary**
This report details the status of Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) in Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, highlighting that as of February 28, 2026, the district operates seven units. It outlines the franchise-based eligibility criteria for opening new centers and presents a three-year sales growth trend in the region. The document also describes the ongoing multimedia awareness campaigns and the annual "Jan Aushadhi Week" held in the first week of March to promote affordable generic medicines.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Operational Status and Performance**
* As of February 2026, West Bengal has 894 functional JAKs, including seven in the Uttar Dinajpur district.
* Within Uttar Dinajpur, the Hemtabad Block has one functional unit, while the Chopra Block currently has no functional units or pending applications.
* Annual sales at MRP in Uttar Dinajpur have risen steadily from ₹21 Lakh (3 JAKs) in 2022-23 to ₹30 Lakh (4 JAKs) in 2024-25.
**Franchise and Eligibility Requirements**
* The government employs a franchise model inviting online applications from entrepreneurs, NGOs, trusts, and private firms.
* Applicants must possess a D. Pharma or B. Pharma qualification or employ a qualified pharmacist to secure a state drug license.
* Applications are processed centrally through the official website: www.janaushadhi.gov.in.
**Awareness and Outreach Strategies**
* The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) coordinates national awareness via print, television, and social media.
* Citizen engagement is maintained through WhatsApp chatbots and outbound calls to communicate the quality and cost-savings of generic drugs.
* "Jan Aushadhi Week" is celebrated annually (March 1–7) featuring health camps, seminars in pharmacy colleges, and public rallies.
* Rural outreach includes "nukkad-natak" (street plays) and educational workshops conducted in local languages at Common Service Centres.
**Impact Analysis**
**Individual Entrepreneurs and Pharmacists**
**Impact**
They have the opportunity to establish a government-backed franchise business in the pharmaceutical sector.
**Action Required**
Qualified individuals or organizations must submit online applications via the PMBJP portal and coordinate with State Licensing Authorities for drug licenses.
**General Public and Citizens**
**Impact**
Increased accessibility to affordable, quality generic medicines and potential for significant savings on healthcare expenses.
**Action Required**
Citizens are encouraged to engage with awareness platforms, such as the WhatsApp chatbot, to locate nearby JAKs and participate in local health camps.
**Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)**
**Impact**
As the implementing agency, the PMBI is responsible for the continued expansion of the scheme and the execution of national awareness campaigns.
**Action Required**
The bureau must continue coordinating with government platforms (PIB, MyGov) and local JAKs to dispel myths regarding generic medicine quality and increase coverage in vacant blocks like Chopra.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): The flagship central government scheme aimed at providing quality generic medicines at affordable prices through dedicated outlets.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI): The nodal implementing agency under the Department of Pharmaceuticals responsible for the execution and promotion of the PMBJP scheme.
Jan Aushadhi Kendra (JAK): Franchise-model retail outlets established under the PMBJP to sell generic medicines and healthcare products.
Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal: The primary geographic focus of the document, detailing the functional status, sales performance, and application status of medicine centers in this district.
Department of Pharmaceuticals: The administrative department under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers overseeing the implementation of pharmaceutical policies and the PMBJP.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers :
Department of Pharmaceuticals
Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Uttar Dinajpur
Posted On: 20 MAR 2026 2:57PM by PIB Delhi
Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme, a total of 894 Jan Aushadhi Kendras
(JAKs) are opened in the State of West Bengal as on 28.02.2026, including 7 in Uttar Dinajpur district. 1
JAK is functional in Hemtabad Block. Currently, no JAK is functional in Chopra Block of Uttar Dinajpur
district, West Bengal, and no applications have been received for opening a JAK there.
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. Any individual having D. Pharma. or B. Pharma. qualification either herself/himself or any individual
or organisation who has employed a person with such qualification as a pharmacist for obtaining drug
licence from the State Licensing Authority concerned is eligible to open a Jan Aushadhi Kendra. Online
applications have been invited from all districts of the country, including Dinajpur district, West Bengal
through the website www.janaushadhi.gov.in.
Details of sale by Jan Aushadhi Kendras opened in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal during the last
three years, year-wise is as under:-
Sl. No. Financial Year No. of JAK Total sale at MRP (in ₹ Lakh)
functional
1 2022-23 3 21
2 2023-24 4 25
3 2024-25 4 30
To increase awareness and accessibility of affordable 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 educatecitizens, 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.
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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