**Policy Summary: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs)**
As of June 30, 2025, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme has established 16,912 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) across India, including 8,660 in rural areas, to provide affordable, quality medicines. This initiative includes 106 JAKs located at railway stations nationwide, ensuring accessibility for travelers. To further enhance access in rural regions, the scheme collaborates with the Ministry of Cooperation, facilitating the establishment of JAKs by Primary Agricultural Credit Societies and other cooperative societies.
Approximately 1 million to 1.2 million individuals visit these Kendras daily, benefiting from affordable medicines. The scheme has resulted in an estimated savings of ₹38,000 crore for citizens over the past 11 years, compared to branded medicine prices.
To ensure a consistent supply chain, an IT-enabled system is in place, comprising a central warehouse, four regional warehouses, and 39 distributors. The availability of 400 fast-moving Janaushadhi products is regularly monitored. A minimum stocking mandate requires JAK owners to maintain stocks of 200 essential products (100 top-selling and 100 fast-selling), incentivizing them based on stock maintenance.
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for chemicals and fertilizers.
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS: A department under the MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS, focusing on pharmaceuticals.
LOK SABHA: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJAKs): Government initiative to establish pharmacies providing affordable medicines.
CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS: Refers to the subject matter overseen by the concerned ministry.
SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL: The MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana: The scheme under which Jan Aushadhi Kendras are opened.
Ministry of Cooperation: A ministry in the Government of India that partnered with the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2074
TO BE ANSWERED ON 1ST AUGUST, 2025
PMBJAKs at Railway Stations
2074. Shri Y S Avinash Reddy:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) the manner in which the new Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJAKs)
ensure the availability of quality, affordable medicines for passengers at railway stations;
(b) whether these Kendras ensure availability of medicines, especially in rural and remote
areas where access to healthcare facilities is limited; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
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 106 Jan
Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened at railway stations across the country till
30.6.2025 to ensure availability of quality, affordable medicines to public, including
passengers, at railway stations.
(b) and (c): A total of 16,912 JAKs have been opened till 30.6.2025 across the country, of
which 8,660 JAKs have been opened in rural areas. To increase access in rural areas, the
scheme has partnered with the Ministry of Cooperation for the opening of JAKs by Primary
Agricultural Credit Societies and other cooperative societies.
On the average, about 10 to 12 lakh persons visit these Kendras daily and avail of
quality medicines at affordable prices across the country, including in rural and remote areas.
As a result of the scheme, in the last 11 years, estimated savings of about ₹38,000 crore have
accrued to citizens in comparison to the prices of branded medicines, across the country,
including in rural and remote areas.
For smooth supply and product availability at JAKs across the country, including in
rural and remote areas, an end-to-end IT-enabled supply chain system has been established,
which comprises one central warehouse, four regional warehouses and 39 distributors
appointed. Further, 400 fast-moving Janaushadhi products are monitored regularly to ensure
their availability. In addition, a minimum stocking mandate has been implemented for 200
Janaushadhi products consisting of the 100 top-selling Janaushadhi products in the scheme
product basket and 100 fast-selling Janaushadhi products in the market. Under the stocking
mandate, JAK owners become eligible for claiming incentive based on stocks of the said 200
products maintained by them.
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