What Happened
- The Government highlighted the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), which provides quality generic medicines at prices 50–80% lower than branded equivalents through a network of Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs).
- As of December 31, 2025, 17,990 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are operational across India; the government targets expansion to 25,000 Kendras by March 2027.
- The product basket under PMBJP now comprises 2,110 medicines and 315 medical devices and consumables, covering key therapeutic segments including cardiovascular, oncology, anti-diabetic, anti-infective, anti-allergic, and gastrointestinal therapies.
- The 8th Janaushadhi Diwas was observed on March 7, 2026, with Janaushadhi Saptah (week-long outreach) held to build public awareness.
- A landmark was crossed in sanitary hygiene: over 100 crore Suvidha sanitary napkins have been sold under the scheme since its launch, with 22.50 crore sold in FY 2025-26 alone (up to January 31, 2026).
- Medicines are sold at approximately 50% below market prices; for some medicines the discount reaches 80%.
Static Topic Bridges
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): Scheme Details
PMBJP is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, originally as the Jan Aushadhi Scheme in 2008 and relaunched in its current form in 2015. The scheme establishes dedicated retail outlets — Jan Aushadhi Kendras — to sell quality generic medicines and medical devices at affordable prices, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure for citizens.
- Nodal ministry: Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
- Implementing agency: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), a society under the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
- Funding pattern: Centrally funded scheme; the government provides financial assistance (one-time setup grant of up to ₹2 lakh for infrastructure, ₹2 lakh for medicines and surgical items, and an incentive of 15% of monthly sales up to ₹15,000/month for stores in difficult areas).
- Medicines procured from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers and tested at NABL-accredited labs for quality assurance.
- Janaushadhi Diwas is observed annually on March 7.
Connection to this news: The Government's latest update underlines the scale PMBJP has achieved — 17,990 outlets, 2,110+ medicines — as a concrete tool for reducing out-of-pocket health expenditure and advancing Universal Health Coverage goals.
Generic Medicines vs. Branded Medicines: Policy Context
Generic medicines contain the same active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), in the same dosage form and strength, as their branded counterparts, and must meet equivalent bioequivalence standards. In India, most branded medicines carry a price premium of 50–500% over their generic equivalents despite identical therapeutic value. High out-of-pocket expenditure (OOP) on medicines is a leading driver of catastrophic health spending in India — approximately 50% of India's total OOP health expenditure is on medicines.
- India's National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) regulates prices of essential medicines under the DPCO (Drug Price Control Order), but many medicines remain outside price controls.
- The Essential Medicines List (National List of Essential Medicines, NLEM 2022) contains 384 medicines considered indispensable for public health.
- Generic prescribing by doctors is encouraged under the Medical Council of India (now National Medical Commission) guidelines, though compliance remains uneven.
- PMBJP directly bypasses the branded distribution channel by purchasing directly from manufacturers and selling at near-cost prices.
Connection to this news: PMBJP is India's most scalable policy mechanism for making generic medicines accessible at the last mile, with 17,990 outlets providing an alternative to the branded pharmacy market.
Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure and Universal Health Coverage
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means that all people receive quality essential health services without suffering financial hardship. India's National Health Policy 2017 set a target of reducing out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) as a share of total health expenditure to below 50%. As of the National Health Accounts 2021-22, OOPE still constitutes approximately 39.4% of total health expenditure — down from over 60% a decade ago, but still a significant burden for lower-income households.
- India's health expenditure as a percentage of GDP stands at approximately 2.1% (public health expenditure at ~1.9% of GDP in 2021-22).
- The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3.8) calls for achieving UHC by 2030.
- Government schemes addressing UHC from the supply side: PMBJP (medicines), PM-JAY (hospitalisation insurance), Ayushman Arogya Mandir/Health and Wellness Centres (primary care).
- The sanitary napkin component of PMBJP (Suvidha pads at ₹1 each) directly addresses menstrual hygiene as a public health and gender equity issue.
Connection to this news: The PMBJP update demonstrates one of India's primary demand-side interventions in healthcare — affordable access to essential medicines — as a pillar of the broader Universal Health Coverage architecture.
Key Facts & Data
- Scheme full name: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)
- Nodal ministry: Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
- Implementing agency: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)
- Jan Aushadhi Kendras operational (Dec 31, 2025): 17,990
- Target Kendras by March 2027: 25,000
- Product basket: 2,110 medicines + 315 medical devices/consumables
- Price saving: 50–80% below branded medicine prices
- Suvidha sanitary napkins sold (cumulative): over 100 crore
- FY 2025-26 sanitary napkin sales (to Jan 2026): 22.50 crore
- 8th Janaushadhi Diwas: March 7, 2026
- Annual awareness event: Janaushadhi Saptah (Janaushadhi Week)