The Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), implementing agency of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Yojna (PMBJP), reported significant progress in expanding access to affordable generic medicines across India. As of June 30, 2026, a total of 20,149 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened nationwide, covering 776 out of 784 districts in the country.
The scheme has generated estimated savings of approximately ₹45,000 crore for citizens over the past 12 years when compared against branded medicine prices, significantly reducing out-of-pocket household expenditure and improving medicine access in smaller towns and rural areas. The product basket under PMBJP contains 2,110 medicines and 315 surgicals, medical consumables, and devices, covering all major therapeutic groups including cardiovascular, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-infectives, anti-allergic, gastro-intestinal medicines, and nutraceuticals. Almost all generic medicines from the National List of Essential Medicines are included, except lab reagents and vaccines.
PMBI undertakes continuous evaluation of Jan Aushadhi Kendras based on sales performance and implements various measures to ensure medicine availability. To minimize stock shortages, the agency has implemented an incentive system since September 2024 where JAK owners receive monthly incentives for maintaining stocks of 200 commonly used medicines (100 top-selling scheme medicines and 100 fast-selling market medicines). The supply chain system includes one central warehouse, four regional warehouses, and a growing distributor network, with regular monitoring of 400 fast-moving products and digitized forecasting methods to augment procurement.
For promotion and awareness, PMBI conducts targeted campaigns through multiple channels including print, television, radio, social media, outdoor hoardings, and community engagement. Outreach includes WhatsApp chatbot communications, outbound calls to citizens, and annual Jan Aushadhi Week celebrations in the first week of March featuring public rallies, health camps, seminars, and children engagement programs. The scheme also disseminates audio/video messages from public representatives and eminent doctors to highlight benefits and dispel quality myths.
Entrepreneurship promotion includes special incentives of ₹2 lakh for setting up JAKs in North-Eastern States, Himalayan areas, island territories, Aspirational Districts, and for ex-servicemen, women, divyangjan, and members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. PMBI is actively working with district administrations to provide free space in government hospitals for JAKs in underserved districts and is focusing special attention on districts with less coverage.