Parliament Question: Availability of Affordable Generic Medicines

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4714 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20TH MARCH 2026 Availability of Affordable Generic Medicines 4714. Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi: Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state: (a) the number of Janaushadhi Kendras functioning in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and the growth in availability of generic medicines during the last five years; (b) the financial support provided and the supply chain mechanisms created for ensuring uninterrupted availability of essential medicines; (c) the estimated savings for patients due to availability of affordable generic medicines; (d) the steps taken to expand the network in underserved and tribal districts; and (e) whether the Government proposes to integrate Janaushadhi services with public hospitals for wider reach, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL) (a): 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 14s50 1654 2. 2021-22 1616 1866 3. 2022-23 1759 20394. 2023-24 2047 2347 5. 2024-25 2110 2425 (b): 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. (c): Total savings of ₹ 40,000 crores by way of reduced "Out-of-Pocket Expenditure” on medicines on account of use of Janaushadhi Products. (d): 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. (e): 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. *****