Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers addresses questions regarding the promotion of generic medicines under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana. The scheme aims to provide affordable, quality generic medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The government plans to expand the scheme to 20,000 Kendras by March 31, 2026, and increase the product basket to 2,200 medicines and 320 surgical items by the same date.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana:**
* Provides generic medicines at 50-80% lower prices than branded medicines.
* Has saved citizens approximately ₹38,000 crore.
* **Medicines and Products Available:**
* 2,110 medicines and 315 surgicals, medical consumables and devices are currently available.
* Covers major therapeutic groups (cardiovascular, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, etc.).
* Plan to expand the product basket to 2,200 medicines and 320 surgicals by March 31, 2026.
* **Awareness and Promotion:**
* Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India implements awareness campaigns.
* Uses print, radio, TV, mobile apps, social media, and public events like Jan Aushadhi Diwas (March 7).
* **Prescription Guidelines:**
* Central Government hospitals and CGHS doctors are directed to prescribe generic medicines.
* Medical Council of India mandates doctors to prescribe drugs with generic names.
* States are advised to ensure prescription of generic drugs in public health facilities.
* **Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs):**
* 16,912 JAKs are currently open (as of June 30, 2025).
* 1,432 JAKs are located in Tamil Nadu.
* Target to increase the number of JAKs to 20,000 by March 31, 2026.
* No state-wise targets for new JAKs.
* **Quality Assurance:**
* Medicines are procured from WHO-GMP certified suppliers.
* Each batch is tested at NABL-accredited laboratories.
* Routine quality audits of vendor facilities are conducted.
Impact Analysis
* **Citizens:**
* *Impact:* Access to affordable medicines, leading to significant cost savings.
* *Action Required:* Utilize Jan Aushadhi Kendras to purchase medicines and consult with doctors about generic alternatives.
* **Doctors/Medical Practitioners:**
* *Impact:* Obligation to prescribe generic medicines, and ensure rational drug prescriptions.
* *Action Required:* Prescribe drugs with generic names legibly, preferably in capital letters, and adhere to the Code of Medical Ethics.
* **Pharmacies and Jan Aushadhi Kendra Operators:**
* *Impact:* Increased demand for generic medicines and opportunities for establishing and operating Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
* *Action Required:* Ensure availability of generic medicines and adherence to quality standards.
* **Pharmaceutical Companies:**
* *Impact:* Potential shift in market share from branded to generic medicines.
* *Action Required:* Adapt strategies to compete in the generic medicine market and ensure WHO-GMP certification.
* **Government (Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers/Department of Pharmaceuticals):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for the successful implementation and monitoring of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.
* *Action Required:* Expand the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras, increase product basket, ensure quality control, and conduct awareness campaigns.
Key Entities Referenced
Jan Aushadhi Kendra: Dedicated outlets opened across the country to provide generic medicines at affordable prices under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana: A Government scheme to make quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all citizens.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India: The implementing agency for the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme.
Tamil Nadu: A state in India where Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened.
Department of Pharmaceuticals: A department under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.
World Health Organization Good Manufacturing Practices: A set of standards and guidelines for ensuring the quality of manufactured products, especially medicines.
National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories: A laboratory accreditation system ensuring the competence and reliability of testing and calibration laboratories.
Central Government Health Scheme: A health scheme providing medical facilities to Central Government employees, pensioners and their family members.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 938
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 JULY, 2025
Promotion of Generic Medicines
938. Shri Malaiyarasan D:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) the total number and details of generic medicines available under the Jan Aushadhi Kendra
scheme;
(b) the efforts being made by the Government to increase awareness about the benefits of
generic medicines among the public, especially in rural and remote areas;
(c) whether the Government has faced any challenges in promoting the use of generic
medicines and if so, the steps being taken to overcome them;
(d) the total number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras that have been opened in Tamil Nadu along
with the number of centres targeted to be established by the end of the current financial year;
(e) whether the Government plans to include more life-saving or expensive drugs under the
generic medicines initiative and if so, the details of such proposals; and
(f) the steps being taken to ensure the quality and safety of generic medicines sold through
Government channels like Jan Aushadhi Kendras?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND
FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) to (c): 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, resulting in savings of about ₹38,000 crore to citizens in comparison to the prices
of branded medicines. 2,110 medicines and 315 surgicals, medical consumables and devices
are available 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.
To spread awareness about the scheme and the benefits of generic medicines, and to
address implementation challenges that may arise due to lack of awareness, the
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India, the scheme implementing agency,
regularly undertakes several activities including the following measures:(i) Issuance of advertisements in various modes, such as the print media, radio, TV,
mobile application, cinema, hoardings, branding of bus queue shelters and buses,
auto wrapping and TV screens at Common Service Centres;
(ii) Outreach through social media platforms, such as Facebook, X, Instagram and
YouTube; and
(iii) Celebration of Jan Aushadhi Diwas on the 7th of March every year.
In addition, as per information obtained from the Department of Health and Family
Welfare, the Directorate General of Health Services has directed all Central Government
hospitals to prescribe generic medicines only, and similar instructions have also been issued
to prescribe drugs with generic name to all Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)
doctors and wellness centres. Further, paragraph 1.5 of the Code of Medical Ethics in the
Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002
stipulates that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and
preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use
of drugs, and the Medical Council of India has issued circulars dated 22.11.2012, 18.1.2013
and 21.4.2017 directing all registered medical practitioners to comply with the same. States
have also been advised to ensure prescription of generic drugs in public health facilities.
(d): Under the scheme, a total of 16,912 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened till
30.6.2025, out of which 1,432 Kendras have been opened in the State of Tamil Nadu.
Government has decided to increase the number of JAKs opened to 20,000 by 31.3.2026.
There is no State- and Union-territory-wise target for opening of new JAKs.
(e) and (f): It has been decided to expand the product basket under the scheme to 2,200
medicines and 320 surgicals, medical consumables and devices by 31.3.2026. Stringent
measures as specified below are in place to ensure that the medicines supplied through Jan
Aushadhi Kendras meet standards:
(i) Medicines are procured only from suppliers certified for World Health
Organization – Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP).
(ii) Each batch of drugs supplied under the scheme is tested at laboratories accredited
by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration
Laboratories (NABL) and only after passing quality tests, medicines are dispatched
to Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
(iii) Quality audit of the facilities of vendors is routinely done by the Pharmaceuticals
and Medical Devices Bureau of India.
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