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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1029
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24TH JULY 2026
Jan Aushadhi Kendras
1029. Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has evaluated the effectiveness of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya
Janaushadhi Pariyojana in reducing out-of-pocket expenditure and improving access to
affordable medicines in smaller towns and rural areas, if so, the details thereof, State/districtwise;
(b) the number of functional Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs), availability of commonly prescribed
medicines for diabetes, hypertension, cancer, tuberculosis and other chronic diseases and
instances of stock shortages in Katni, Panna and Khajuraho districts of Madhya Pradesh during
the last three years, district-wise and year-wise;
(c) whether any assessment has been made regarding low public awareness, non-prescription of
generic medicines and accessibility gaps in said districts, if so, the details thereof, district-wise;
(d) whether any proposals have been received for opening additional JAKs, particularly in
underserved blocks of the country, if so, the details thereof, State/district-wise; and
(e) the steps taken to ensure uninterrupted medicine supply, timely replenishment, greater public
awareness, promotion of women and youth entrepreneurs and improved last-mile access to
affordable medicines?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)
(a) and (b): Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing
agency of the PMBJP scheme, undertakes continuous evaluation of Jan Aushadhi Kendras
(JAKs) on the basis of their sale performance. Such evaluation, along with the performance of
the scheme, indicates that PMBJP has significantly improved access to quality generic medicines
at affordable prices across the country, through a rapidly expanding network of Jan Aushadhi
Kendras. In the last 12 years, estimated savings of about ₹45,000 crore have accrued to citizens,
when compared against the prices of branded medicines, contributing significantly to a sharp
reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure by households and improving access to affordable
medicines across the country including smaller towns and rural areas.
As on 30.06.2026, a total of 20,149 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened across the
country.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 this product basket.
Continuous monitoring and appropriate corrective measures are undertaken to minimize stock
shortage and ensure availability of essential medicines across the country.
(c) to (e): District-wise assessment in respect of Katni, Panna and Khajuraho districts of
Madhya Pradesh regarding low public awareness, non-prescription of generic medicines or
accessibility gaps are not currently available.
However, in order to promote acceptability and to increase sale 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),
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.
JAKs are opened by inviting applications from individual entrepreneurs, non-governmental
organisations, societies, trusts, firms, private companies, etc. Online applications have been
invited from all districts of the country, including underserved blocks, through the website
www.janaushadhi.gov.in.
Presently, 776 out of 784 districts of the country are covered. To facilitate opening of Jan
Aushadhi Kendras in the underserved districts, PMBI is in touch with the concerned
administration/district magistrate for providing free space to the applicants in government
hospitals. Further, the districts having less coverage of Jan Aushadhi Kendras are given special
focus for opening of JAKs.To address any supply gaps and ensure smooth supply and product availability at JAKs, the
following measures are in place:
(i) Since September 2024, stocking by JAKs of 200 commonly used medicines, consisting
of the 100 top-selling medicines in the scheme product basket and 100 fast-selling
medicines in the market, has been incentivised, under which JAK owners are eligible
for monthly incentive based on the stocks that they maintain for such medicines.
(ii) An end-to-end information-technology-enabled supply robust supply chain system
consisting of one central warehouse, four regional warehouses and a growing network
of distributors across the country, has been put in place.
(iii) In addition, with a view to ensure availability of commonly used products, 400 fast-
moving products are monitored regularly by 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.
For promotion of women and youth entrepreneurs and improved last-mile access to affordable
medicines following steps have been taken: -
(i) The scheme follows a franchise-like model under which eligible individual entrepreneurs,
including women and youth, may apply online to open Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
(ii) A one-time special incentive of ₹2 lakh for setting up JAK in North-Eastern States,
Himalayan areas, island territories and Aspirational Districts and to those JAKs that are
opened by ex-servicemen, women, divyangjan and members of the Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes, is provided.
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