Parliament Question: Availability of generic medicines under PMBJKs

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2809 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17TH MARCH, 2026 Availability of generic medicines under PMBJKs 2809 Shri R. Dharmar:

Will the Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of generic medicines available under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana and the list of medicines included in the program;

(b) the efforts being made by Government to increase awareness about the benefits of generic medicines among the public, especially in rural and remote areas;

(c) whether Government has faced any challenges in promoting the use of generic medicines and if so, the steps being taken to overcome them; and

(d) the total number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras that have been opened within Tamil Nadu and the target number of centers to be established by the end of the current financial year? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a): 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.

(b) and (c): 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.

(d): As on 28.02.2026, a total of 1559 Jan Aushadhi 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.

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