What happened: PMBJP reports JAK performance, expansion, and supply-demand measures

The Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) reports that it continuously evaluates Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Yojna (PMBJP) using JAK sale performance and scheme performance metrics. The government claim links these efforts with improved access to quality generic medicines at affordable prices across India and reduced household out-of-pocket expenditure.

According to the government statement, as of 30.06.2026, the JAK network stands at 20,149 centres. The PMBJP product basket is reported to include 2,110 medicines and 315 surgicals, medical consumables and devices covering major therapeutic groups such as cardiovascular, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-infectives, anti-allergic and gastro-intestinal medicines and nutraceuticals. The government also states that almost all generic medicines in the National List of Essential Medicines (except lab reagents and vaccines) are part of this basket.

Background and earlier position: PMBJP’s objective of affordable generic medicines via JAKs

PMBJP’s policy thrust is the creation of a retail network for generic medicines aligned to essential medicines. The programme design relies on increasing the number of JAKs and improving their functioning through awareness generation (to improve acceptability), better supply reliability (to reduce stockouts), and demand forecasting (to support procurement and availability).

In the reported scheme approach, JAKs are opened by inviting applications from entrepreneurs, NGOs, societies, trusts, firms and private companies, including online applications from districts through the janaushadhi portal.

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