Government expands access to affordable generic medicines through 18,646 Jan Aushadhi Kendras: Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Ms. Anupriya Patel
- IBEF
- March 23, 2026
The Government of India has significantly expanded access to affordable healthcare through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), with 18,646 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) operational across the country as of February 2026. Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Ms. Anupriya Patel highlighted that these centres are playing a crucial role in ensuring the availability of quality generic medicines at highly affordable prices. Under the scheme, medicines are sold at prices that are typically 50-80% lower than branded alternatives, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure for citizens. The initiative is implemented by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), which ensures quality standards through rigorous procurement and testing mechanisms.
The government has also taken multiple complementary steps to improve the affordability and accessibility of medicines. These include price regulation under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013, and monitoring by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to prevent excessive pricing. Additionally, initiatives such as the Free Drugs Service Initiative under the National Health Mission and the AMRIT scheme provide medicines at subsidised rates through public health facilities. The Jan Aushadhi scheme has witnessed strong growth in recent years, with total sales of medicines reaching Rs. 4,728.42 crore (US$ 504.74 million) over the last three financial years, reflecting increasing public acceptance of generic drugs. The government continues to promote awareness through campaigns and outreach programmes, further strengthening the reach of affordable healthcare services across urban and rural India.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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