The product basket of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme consists of 2,425 medicines and medical device and consumable products.

Products under the scheme are procured under rate contracts that are entered into based on open tendering. Presently, 351 medicines are marked as under process. Such medicines remain so marked for the duration of successful conclusion of the tendering process and determination of the procurement price, including the duration of any retendering necessitated due to non-receipt of bids or any other reason.

All medicines included in the Essential Drug List under the Indian Public Health Standards are included in the product basket of the scheme, except for medicines provided free-of-charge under national health programmes, those administered directly in hospitals (such as anaesthetics) and certain opioids with high addiction potential (fentanyl, morphine, codeine and buprenorphine).

With a view to address any supply gaps and ensure smooth supply and product availability at JAKs, the following measures are in place:

 

1. An end-to-end information-technology-enabled supply chain system consisting currently of five warehouses and 39 distributors across the country, is in place.
2. Since September 2024, stocking by Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) of 200 commonly used medicines, consisting of the 100 top-selling medicines in the product basket and 100 fast-selling medicines in the market, is incentivised with JAK owners being eligible to receive monthly incentive based on the stocks that they maintain of these medicines.
3. In addition, with a view to ensure availability of commonly used products, 400 fast-moving products are monitored regularly by the scheme implementing agency and demand for the same is forecasted on an ongoing basis. Further, steps have been taken to digitise the forecasting method to augment the procurement process through automation.

No proposal for mega kendras in major cities and courier-based home delivery is currently under consideration. Since dispensing of drugs from JAK outlets is done by individual pharmacists, their presence is required at the outlet; however, the Drugs Rules, 1945 require the pharmacist dispensing prescription drugs to validate the prescription at the time of dispensation, necessitating his presence at the point of dispensing. Further, with a view to make medicines under the scheme more easily accessible, a target has been set to increase the number of JAKs opened across the country to 25,000 by March 2027, against which 17,610 have been opened till November 2025.

 

This information was given by Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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