The initiative to retail affordable, high-quality generic medications through Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) has significantly benefited the public by offering reasonably priced generic drugs.
According to Anupriya Patel, the Minister of State in the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, over the past decade, medicines worth Rs. 5,600 crore were sold at the PMBJKs (Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras). This initiative has led to citizen savings of approximately Rs. 30,000 crore and has also provided opportunities for self-employment, ensuring steady and substantial earnings.
The Central Government aims to establish 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, spearheaded by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), by 2027. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a plan to increase the number of JAKs from 10,000 to 25,000 across the country, commemorated by the opening of the 10,000th Jan Aushadhi Kendra at AIIMS in Deoghar, Jharkhand.
Achieving 10,000 stores within seven years marks a notable achievement for the Jan Aushadhi initiative, initially launched by then Union Chemicals Minister Ramvilas Paswan in 2008 to provide affordable, quality generic medicines.
In the past decade, sales have surged from Rs. 7.29 crore in 2014 to Rs. 1,470 crore by June 30, 2024. The product range now includes 2047 medicines and 300 surgical items, growing from 900 medicines and 154 surgical items in 2019-20, based on Ministry data.
The medicine array encompasses diverse therapeutic classes such as analgesics, antibiotics, psychotropic, and others. PMBJP has also introduced five affordable Ayurvedic products.
The scheme was initially launched on November 25, 2008, with the inaugural Jan Aushadhi store opening in Amritsar, Punjab, as an effort by the UPA government to supply generic medications affordably. Medicines here are priced at least 50% cheaper than market prices, with some as low as 80-90% less.
Despite facing initial setbacks due to internal opposition and industry pressure, the program was reinvigorated under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi in 2016. This rejuvenation added momentum, transforming it into a vehicle that not only makes generic medicines accessible but also fosters entrepreneurship.
The government’s commitment is evident from its host of events designed to increase awareness about the benefits of generics and this initiative’s accomplishments.
With the product line now including new medical and nutraceutical products, such as protein supplements and health devices, the program covers 743 out of 764 districts in the nation.
Experts believe the initiative is on track to meet its goal of 25,000 centers by March 31, 2026, with states like Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka leading in JAK numbers.
To enhance the JAK network further, the Government has streamlined processes with a modern supply chain infrastructure and established an application, Janaushadhi Sugam, for easy public access to these medications.
Concurrent to these efforts, the Indian Railways plans to initiate over 100 JAKs at stations, targeted to improve passenger facilities by making quality, affordable medicines easily accessible, demonstrating how the scheme is integrated with broader public welfare objectives.