Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has announced that 16,912 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been established across India as of June 30, 2025. The government aims to increase this number to 25,000 by March 2027, enhancing access to affordable, quality generic medicines nationwide.
The PMBJP scheme currently offers a product basket comprising 2,110 medicines and 315 surgicals, medical consumables, and devices. These products span major therapeutic categories including cardiovascular, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-infective, anti-allergic, gastrointestinal medicines, and nutraceuticals. Nearly all generic medicines listed in the National List of Essential Medicines—excluding lab reagents and vaccines—are included.
To ensure consistent supply and availability, an IT-enabled supply chain system has been implemented. It includes a central warehouse, four regional warehouses, and 39 distributors across the country. Availability of 400 fast-moving products is monitored regularly, and a minimum stocking mandate has been introduced for 200 medicines—comprising the top 100 selling medicines under the scheme and 100 fast-selling medicines in the broader market. JAK owners maintaining these stocks are eligible for incentives.
The scheme has significantly reduced the financial burden on households. Over the past 11 years, citizens have saved an estimated Rs 380 billion compared to branded medicine prices. This has contributed to a sharp decline in out-of-pocket health expenditure, which fell from 62.6% of total health spending in FY2014-15 to 39.4% in FY2021-22, according to the National Health Accounts Estimates.
To further expand reach, the government has adopted a franchisee-like model for opening new JAKs. Applications are invited online from individual entrepreneurs, NGOs, societies, trusts, firms, and private companies via the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India website (www.janaushadhi.gov.in), including from blocks and tehsils across the country.
Among the states, Uttar Pradesh leads with 3,550 JAKs, followed by Kerala with 1,629, Karnataka with 1,480, and Tamil Nadu with 1,432. Other notable figures include Gujarat (812), Maharashtra (723), Odisha and West Bengal (753 each), and Bihar (900). Even remote regions such as Ladakh and Lakshadweep have seen the establishment of JAKs, with 2 and 1 respectively.
This information was provided by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
