Govt's low cost medicine outlets 'Janaushadhi Kendra' past 9,000 mark; sales cross ₹1,000 cr

The number of central government supported low cost medicine retail outlets – Janaushadhi Kendras – operational in the country have increased to 9,177 by February 28, 2023, from 80 outlets in 2014-15, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has said. The cumulative value of sales grew to ₹1,094.84 crore in the 11 months of 2022-23 from ₹7.29 crore in 2014-15, the department said.

According to the government’s analysis, the cost savings to the consumer in April-February 2022-23 alone could be about ₹6,600 crores if compared with the average retail price of the same medicines available through other retail channels in the country. The medicines sold through Janaushadhi Kendras are priced on the principle of a maximum of 50% of the average price of top three branded medicines. The cost of the Jan Aushadhi Medicines is thus cheaper by at least 50% and in some cases, by 80% to 90% of the market price of branded medicines.

The department said that Janaushadhi product basket comprises 1759 medicines and 280 surgical devices covering all major therapeutic groups such as cardiovascular, anti-cancers, anti-diabetics, antiinfectives, anti-allergic, gastro-intestinal medicines, nutraceuticals, etc. Various nutraceutical products like protein powder, malt-based food supplements and some AYUSH products like Ayuraksha Kit, Balraksha Kit and Ayush-64 tablet as Immunity boosters are also available in some Janaushadhi outlets. All generic medicines except lab reagents that are included in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) are included in the product basket, the department points out.

According to the department, Janaushadhi Kendras are operational in 743 districts out of 763 districts. Further, during the financial year 2020-21, it registered sales of ₹665.83 crores leading to savings of approximately ₹4,000 crores. For 2021-22, the value of medicines sold through Janaushadi Kendras was ₹893.56 crore, resulting in an approximate savings of about ₹5,300 crore as compared to the branded medicines.

The Jan Aushadhi scheme was launched in November, 2008 with an objective of having at least one Jan Aushadhi Store in each district of the country. Later on, the government adopted a franchisee-like model allowing private participation in procurement as well as sales of quality generic medicines. It was also renamed as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).