Healthcare is a basic human right — yet for millions of Indians, medical treatment remains expensive. Due to the high cost of branded medicines, many families reduce doses, skip treatment, or fall into debt. The painful reality is that even after reaching hospitals, many patients cannot afford the medicines prescribed to them.
To remove this affordability barrier, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). The initiative makes high-quality generic medicines available at much lower costs through dedicated outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.
This blog provides a complete guide to PMBJP, including its goals, benefits, medicine quality standards, affordability, how the Kendras work, eligibility to open a Kendra, and its impact on public health across India.
🌟 What is PMBJP?
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana is a major government initiative designed to ensure that every citizen has access to affordable and high-quality generic medicines.
Key highlights:
- Medicines sold at 60% to 90% lower prices than branded alternatives
- Available across India through Janaushadhi Kendras
- Includes prescription drugs, OTC medicines, surgical items, and medical devices
PMBJP is implemented by the:
Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)
under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
🎯 Main Objectives of PMBJP
PMBJP goes far beyond just providing cheap medicines — it reshapes access to healthcare across the country.
- Make healthcare affordable for every citizen
- Promote the use of high-quality generic medicines
- Reduce financial strain during medical treatment and hospitalization
- Support self-reliance and domestic production under “Make in India”
- Create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities by opening Kendras
💊 What Are Generic Medicines?
Generic medicines contain the same active ingredient, strength, dosage, and effect as branded medicines — but at a fraction of the price because they do not include advertising and marketing costs.
Example:
- Branded diabetes medicine: ₹150
- Same medicine at a Janaushadhi Kendra: ₹30 to ₹50
The price difference brings major financial relief, especially for families struggling with long-term or lifelong medical conditions.
🔍 Do Janaushadhi Medicines Maintain Quality?
This is a frequently asked question — and the answer is yes.
Janaushadhi medicines meet strict national and international quality benchmarks.
Quality assurance includes:
- Manufacturing only by WHO–GMP certified pharmaceutical companies
- Batch-wise testing at government-approved NABL laboratories
- Only medicines that pass all tests are supplied to Kendras
This ensures safety, purity, and therapeutic effectiveness equivalent to branded drugs.
📦 Range of Products Available at Janaushadhi Kendras
PMBJP Kendras provide a wide range of healthcare products:
👉 Prescription Medicines
For conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Asthma
- Thyroid disorders
- Heart diseases
- Arthritis
- Neurological disorders
- Infections
👉 Over-the-Counter Medicines
- Pain relievers
- Digestive medicines
- Skin ointments
- Vitamin & mineral supplements
👉 Surgical Items and Medical Devices
- Bandages, gloves, syringes, IV sets
- Nebulizers
- BP monitors
- Walking aids
👉 Women’s Health & Hygiene Products
- Sanitary napkins at highly subsidized rates
- Menstrual hygiene products
- Pregnancy test kits
👉 Ayurvedic & Wellness Products
- Herbal supplements
- Immunity boosters
The product list continues to expand based on public demand and healthcare requirements.
🏥 Availability and Expansion
PMBJP has achieved rapid nationwide growth.
- Thousands of Janaushadhi Kendras are operational across Indian districts
- Goal: A Janaushadhi Kendra within 10 km of every populated area
- Common locations:
- Government hospitals
- PHCs and CHCs
- Railway stations and markets
- Near educational institutions
Patients can use the Janaushadhi Sugam Mobile App to:
- Locate the nearest Kendra
- Check product availability
- Compare prices
💰 Benefits of PMBJP for Society
PMBJP has delivered a wide range of social benefits across India:
✔ Massive financial relief
Families dependent on long-term medicines save thousands of rupees per month.
✔ Access to continuous treatment
Affordable medicines help patients stick to prescribed treatment without interruption.
✔ Reduction in disease complications
Early and consistent treatment helps prevent hospitalization and surgeries.
✔ Greater equity in healthcare
Economic status no longer determines access to life-saving medicines.
✔ Growth in employment and entrepreneurship
Individuals, NGOs, trusts, and pharmacists earn by running Janaushadhi Kendras.
🧾 Who Can Open a Janaushadhi Kendra?
Several categories of applicants are eligible:
- Individual entrepreneurs
- Unemployed pharmacists
- NGOs, trusts, SHGs, and societies
- Government/semi-government organizations
- Hospitals and medical colleges
Support provided:
- Initial financial assistance
- Discounts and incentives on purchases
- Training and logistical support from PMBI
This makes PMBJP a business opportunity with social impact.
🧠 Public Awareness and Changing Mindset
One of the biggest missions of PMBJP is tackling the misconception:
“Only expensive branded medicines are effective.”
Public awareness campaigns help build trust in generic medicines.
Increasingly, doctors and pharmacists are prescribing generics when appropriate — making healthcare more affordable for all.
💼 PMBJP During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The importance of PMBJP was particularly visible during the pandemic.
During this time:
- Essential medicines were supplied without disruption
- PPE kits, N95 masks, and sanitizers were sold at subsidized rates
- Kendras became vital for families facing financial hardship
The pandemic significantly strengthened public trust in PMBJP.
⚠ Challenges Ahead
Despite strong success, PMBJP still needs to address certain challenges:
- Low awareness among rural communities
- Misconceptions about generic drug quality
- Limited Kendra availability in remote areas
- Logistics delays in tough terrains
The government is working to overcome these barriers through:
- Awareness and promotional campaigns
- Expansion of Kendras
- Better supply chain systems
- Real-time digital monitoring
🔮 Future of PMBJP
PMBJP continues to evolve into a more inclusive healthcare mission. Future plans include:
- Janaushadhi Kendras in every block and district
- Home delivery of medicines
- Expanded list of medicines for chronic and specialty care
- Larger, low-cost production of medical devices
- Integration with the Digital Health Mission
The long-term vision is clear:
Affordable and accessible healthcare for every Indian — regardless of income or location.
🏁 Final Thoughts
The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana is a landmark step toward building a healthier and financially secure India. By offering high-quality generic medicines at a fraction of the cost of branded drugs, PMBJP:
- Reduces the financial burden of medical treatment
- Ensures timely and consistent therapy
- Supports families facing chronic health conditions
- Promotes fair access to medicine for all
For many families, Janaushadhi Kendras are more than medical shops — they are a lifeline of hope, dignity, and survival.
The guiding principle of PMBJP remains powerful and humane:
No Indian should suffer or lose a family member because they could not afford medicines.