Expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

A total of 15,057 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened across India under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) as of February 28, 2025. This information was shared by Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. The scheme ensures the availability of affordable and quality generic medicines across the country.

Overview of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

The PMBJP scheme was launched to provide high-quality, affordable generic medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs). These pharmacies offer medicines at a much lower price compared to branded alternatives, making healthcare accessible to all, especially the economically weaker sections.

Current Status of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in India

As per the latest data, 15,057 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been established across various states and union territories (UTs). The state-wise and UT-wise distribution of JAKs shows Uttar Pradesh leading with 2,658 kendras, followed by Kerala (1,528), Karnataka (1,425), and Tamil Nadu (1,363).

Ensuring Smooth Supply and Distribution of Medicines

The government has implemented a well-structured supply chain management system to ensure the uninterrupted availability of medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras. This system includes:

• One central warehouse in Gurugram.
• Four regional warehouses in Bengaluru, Guwahati, Chennai, and Surat.
• 36 distributors across India to strengthen supply networks.
• End-to-end IT-enabled supply chain system to manage stock efficiently.
• Regular monitoring of 400 fast-moving medicines to ensure availability.
• A minimum stocking mandate for 200 essential medicines, including the top 100 best-selling drugs from JAKs and 100 fast-selling medicines in the market.
• Incentive schemes for JAK owners to maintain stock levels.

Measures to Maintain Medicine Quality at JAKs

To ensure the quality and safety of medicines, the government follows strict protocols:

• Procurement only from WHO-GMP-certified manufacturers.
• Each batch undergoes rigorous quality testing at NABL-accredited laboratories before being dispatched to JAKs.
• Regular quality audits by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI).
• Strict regulatory frameworks to prevent the sale of substandard medicines.

Entrepreneurship Model of Jan Aushadhi Kendras

JAKs operate on an entrepreneurship model, where individual entrepreneurs decide the actual stocking of products based on local demand. This model ensures that essential medicines are available where needed the most.

State and UT-Wise Distribution of Jan Aushadhi Kendras (As of February 28, 2025)

Summary of the News

This expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras marks a significant step towards affordable healthcare, ensuring that low-cost medicines reach the remotest corners of India.