This document summarizes the status and impact of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, as of August 8, 2025.
As of June 30, 2025, a total of 16,912 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) are operational across India, with 3,550 located in Uttar Pradesh, including 152 in Gorakhpur district. These Kendras supply 2,110 medicines and 315 surgicals, medical consumables, and devices, covering major therapeutic groups such as cardiovascular, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-infective, antiallergic, gastrointestinal medicines, and nutraceuticals.
The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency for the PMBJP, conducts awareness campaigns to promote the availability and quality of generic medicines. These campaigns utilize various media, including print, radio, television, mobile applications, cinema, hoardings, bus stop branding, bus wrapping, and television screens at Common Service Centres, as well as outreach through social media platforms. The scheme also promotes awareness through the annual celebration of Jan Aushadhi Diwas on March 7th.
Over the past five financial years (FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25), sales of medicines through JAKs in Gorakhpur have reached ₹30.55 crore, resulting in estimated savings of approximately ₹150 crore in out-of-pocket expenditure for patients in the district.
Key Entities Referenced
Jan Aushadhi Kendra: A type of medical store, also referred to as JAK, that is part of a government scheme to provide affordable medicines.
Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh: A district and city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, which is the focus of the question regarding Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana: A government scheme to open Jan Aushadhi Kendras to provide affordable medicines to citizens.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India: The implementing agency for the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme.
Jan Aushadhi Diwas: An annual event celebrated on March 7th to promote awareness about the Jan Aushadhi scheme.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers: The government ministry responsible for the Department of Pharmaceuticals and the Jan Aushadhi scheme.
SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers providing the answer to the question.
generic medicines: Medicines that are bioequivalent to brand-name drugs but sold under their chemical name, typically at a lower cost.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3399
TO BE ANSWERED ON 8TH AUGUST, 2025
Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Gorakhpur
3399. Shri Ravindra Shukla Alias Ravi Kishan:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras operational in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh;
(b) the range and volume of affordable medicines supplied through the JAKs in Gorakhpur;
(c) the awareness campaigns about availability and quality of generic medicines in said district;
and
(d) the impact of the scheme on out-of-pocket expenditure of patients in the said district?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND
FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a): Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme, a total of 16,912 Jan
Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened till 30.6.2025 across the country, out of which
3,550 JAKs have been opened in the State of Uttar Pradesh, including 152 in Gorakhpur district.
(b): 2,110 medicines and 315 surgicals, medical consumables and devices are available under
the scheme product basket, which covers all major therapeutic groups, such as cardiovascular,
anti-cancers, anti-diabetic, anti-infectives, anti-allergic and gastro-intestinal medicines and
nutraceuticals, for supply through JAKs across the country, including in Gorakhpur district.
(c): To spread awareness about the scheme and the availability and quality of generic medicines
across the country, including in Gorakhpur district, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices
Bureau of India, which is the scheme implementing agency, regularly undertakes the following
activities:
(i) Issuance of advertisements in various modes, such as the print media, radio,
television, mobile application, cinema, hoardings, branding of bus queue shelters and
buses, auto wrapping and television screens at Common Service Centres;
(ii) Outreach through social media platforms; and
(iii) Celebration of Jan Aushadhi Diwas on the 7th of March every year.
(d): Under the scheme, sale of medicines worth ₹ 30.55 crore has been made through JAKs
opened in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh during the last five financial years, that is, from the
financial year (FY) 2020-21 to FY2024-25, resulting in estimated savings of about ₹150 crore
in out-of-pocket expenditure incurred for patients in the said district.
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