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 The affordable drug retail store network Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAK) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals' Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has seen an increase in numbers to around 16,900 till the end of June, this year.
On an average, around 10 to 12 lakh persons visit these Kendras daily and avail of quality medicines at affordable prices, and plans are to increase the number of JAKs to 25,000 by March 31, 2027, according to the ministry of chemicals and fertilisers.
"Under the scheme, a total of 16,912 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened till 30.6.2025, out of which 10,511 Kendras have been opened during the last five years," said Anupriya Patel, minister of state in the ministry of chemicals and fertilisers in the Parliament.
As a result of the scheme, in the last 11 years, estimated savings of about Rs. 38,000 crore have accrued to citizens in comparison to the prices of branded medicines, said
Further, the scheme has provided self-employment to over 16,000 persons, including over 6,800 women entrepreneurs, she added.
Around 2,110 medicines and 315 surgicals, medical consumables and devices are under the scheme product basket, covering all major therapeutic groups, such as cardiovascular, anti-cancers, anti-diabetic, anti-infectives, anti-allergic and gastro-intestinal medicines and nutraceuticals.
Under the scheme, JAKs are opened across the country to provide medicines at rates that are about 50% to 80% cheaper than those of branded medicines.
All Jan Aushadhi Kendra owners are eligible for incentive at the rate of 20% of the monthly purchases made by them, subject to a monthly ceiling of Rs. 20,000 and meeting certain conditions such as maintaining stock of specified medicines.
Any individual having D. Pharma. or B. Pharma. qualification either herself/himself or any individual or organisation who has employed a person with such qualification as a pharmacist for obtaining drug licence from the State Licensing Authority concerned is eligible to open a Jan Aushadhi Kendra.
In addition, a one-time incentive of Rs. 2 lakh is provided to outlets opened in the North-Eastern States, Himalayan areas, Island territories and aspirational districts or those opened by women entrepreneurs, ex-servicemen, Divyangjan and members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, as support towards furniture, computers, refrigerators and other fixtures.
The requirement for applying to open such an outlet is a minimum space of 120 sq ft, registration of the pharmacist with the relevant State Pharmacy Council, and submission of suitable certificate or proof issued by the authority concerned, along with an undertaking, if the applicant belongs to the Divyangjan, Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe category, said the Minister.
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