**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer from the Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The answer details the number of operational Kendras as of December 31, 2025, the price difference between generic and branded medicines, and the government's efforts to promote the prescription of generic medicines. The Medical Council of India issued a circular on April 21, 2017, directing registered medical practitioners to comply with the requirement to prescribe drugs with generic names.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs):**
* As of December 31, 2025, a total of 17,990 JAKs are operational across the country under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana. Annexure I provides a state-wise/Union Territory-wise breakdown.
* Medicines at JAKs are available at rates approximately 50% to 80% cheaper than equivalent branded alternatives.
* **Prescription of Generic Medicines:**
* Paragraph 1.5 of the Code of Medical Ethics in the Indian Medical Council Regulations, 2002 mandates that physicians prescribe drugs using generic names legibly, preferably in capital letters, ensuring rational prescription and use.
* The Medical Council of India issued a circular on April 21, 2017 (Annexure II), directing all registered medical practitioners to comply with this requirement.
* The Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) undertakes initiatives to inform doctors about the benefits of generic medicines through campaigns.
* Media campaigns are conducted to encourage citizens to request prescriptions for generic medicines.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Medical Practitioners**
* **Impact:** Must adhere to the Code of Medical Ethics and the Medical Council of India's directives regarding the prescription of generic medicines. Non-compliance can lead to disciplinary action.
* **Action Required:** Prescribe drugs using generic names legibly, preferably in capital letters.
**Citizens**
* **Impact:** Increased access to affordable medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras and greater likelihood of receiving prescriptions for generic drugs.
* **Action Required:** Request prescriptions for generic medicines during consultations with their physicians.
**State Medical Councils/Medical Council of India (SMC/MCI)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for ensuring compliance with the ethical guidelines and regulations regarding generic drug prescriptions.
* **Action Required:** Take appropriate disciplinary action against doctors found violating the regulations.
**Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)**
* **Impact:** Implementing agency for the Jan Aushadhi scheme.
* **Action Required:** To continue to apprise doctors about the scheme and the benefits of generic medicines through briefing and media campaigns to raise awareness among citizens.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana: A scheme to provide quality medicines at affordable prices through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs): Dedicated outlets opened across the country to provide medicines at rates that are about 50% to 80% cheaper than those of equivalent branded alternatives, under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers: The primary ministry responsible for addressing the question regarding medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002: Regulations mandating physicians to prescribe drugs with generic names.
Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI): The scheme implementing agency for the Janaushadhi program.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2319
TO BE ANSWERED ON 13th FEBRUARY, 2026
Medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras
†2319. Shri Sanatan Pandey:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras operational in the country, State-wise;
(b) the details of price difference between medicines sold through Jan Aushadhi Kendras and
their branded alternatives;
(c) whether many doctors do not prescribe medicines by their generic names; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government
in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND
FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) and (b): Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, a total of 17,990 JAKs have
been opened across the country as on 31.12.2025. The State-wise /Union Territory-wise number
of JAKs opened across the country is at Annexure I. Under the Scheme, dedicated outlets known
as Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) are opened across the country to provide medicines at rates that
are about 50% to 80% cheaper than those of equivalent branded alternatives.
(c) and (d): Paragraph 1.5 of the Code of Medical Ethics in the Indian Medical Council
(Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 requires that every physician
should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and that the
physician shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs. Moreover, the
Medical Council of India has issued circular date 21.04.2017 (Annexure II) directing all
registered medical practitioners to comply with the said requirement.
In addition to above, the scheme implementing agency i.e. Pharmaceuticals & Medical
Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) takes steps to apprise doctors about the scheme and the benefits
of generic medicines. The doctors are briefed about the quality and affordability of Janaushadhi
medicines through these campaigns. Further, extensive media campaigns are carried out to create
awareness among the citizens so that they can request for prescriptions of generic medicines
during consultations with their physicians/doctors.Annexure I
Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) and (b) of the LOK SABHA UNSTARRED Q.
No. 2319 for answer on 13.02.2026, raised by Shri Sanatan Pandey, regarding “Medicines
at Jan Aushadhi Kendras”
The State-wise /Union Territory-wise number of JAKs opened as on 31.12.2025
S. No. State / Union territory Number of JAKs opened
1 Andaman and Nicobar Islands 6
2 Andhra Pradesh 272
3 Arunachal Pradesh 35
4 Assam 176
5 Bihar 1058
6 Chandigarh 19
7 Chhattisgarh 345
8 Delhi 589
9 Goa 18
10 Gujarat 848
11 Haryana 474
12 Himachal Pradesh 74
13 Jammu and Kashmir 351
14 Jharkhand 166
15 Karnataka 1585
16 Kerala 1714
17 Ladakh 3
18 Lakshadweep 1
19 Madhya Pradesh 614
20 Maharashtra 713
21 Manipur 68
22 Meghalaya 25
23 Mizoram 16
24 Nagaland 22
25 Odisha 803
26 Puducherry 33
27 Punjab 532
28 Rajasthan 632
29 Sikkim 15
30 Tamil Nadu 1515
31 Telangana 212
32 The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 40
33 Tripura 33
34 Uttar Pradesh 3805
35 Uttarakhand 319
36 West Bengal 859
Total 17,990Annexure II
Annexure referred to in reply to parts (c) and (d) of the LOK SABHA UNSTARRED Q.
No. 2319 for answer on 13.02.2026, raised by Shri Sanatan Pandey, regarding “Medicines
at Jan Aushadhi Kendras”
Medical Council of India circular date 21.04.2017
*****