Opening Janaushadhi Kendra in 651 Districts Across the Country

The Union Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target to increase the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras to 10,000 by March 2024. This is under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). The product basket of PMBJP comprises 1759 medicines and 280 surgical devices covering all major therapeutic groups

With an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government. Under this scheme, there are already more than 9000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras that are functional across the country.

With this objective, the Government has approved the proposal of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of PMBJP to invite online applications for opening of new Jan Aushadhi Kendras in 651 districts of different States/UTs.

This scheme provides an excellent opportunity of self-employment with sustainable and regular earnings. Under PMBJP, an incentive of Rs. 5.00 lakh is provided to the Jan Aushadhi Kendras as financial assistance and one-time additional incentive of Rs. 2.00 lakh (as reimbursement for IT and Infra expenditure) is provided to Jan Aushadhi Kendras opened in North-Eastern States, Himalayan areas, island territories and backward areas identified as aspirational districts by NITI Ayog or if opened by Women Entrepreneur, Ex-serviceman, Divyang, SCs & STs.

It may be noted that Generic drugs are those that are marketed under a non-proprietary or approved name rather than a proprietary or brand name. Generic drugs are equally effective and inexpensive compared to their branded counterparts.

The quality, safety and efficacy of medicines are ensured by getting each batch of medicines procured from CPSUs as well as private suppliers tested from NABL approved laboratories and conforming to the required standards before the same are supplied to Super stockists /Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras from the warehouse of PMBI.

The generic drugs have the same efficacy and therapeutic value as that of the branded medicines. And by taking generic medicines, a patient can reduce his/her expenditure on medicines drastically.

In sum, the endeavour of PMBI is to make available all therapeutic medicines at Jan Aushadhi Stores. A list of medicines with their MRP which are presently available are given under the heading “PMBJP Products- Therapeutic groups” on the website of PMBI. More medicines are being added to this list from time to time.