Lok Sabha Question No. 938 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: Promotion of Generic Medicines
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Malaiyarasan D

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 938 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 JULY, 2025

## Promotion of Generic Medicines

## 938. Shri Malaiyarasan D:

## Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number and details of generic medicines available under the Jan Aushadhi Kendra scheme;
- (b) the efforts being made by the Government to increase awareness about the benefits of generic medicines among the public, especially in rural and remote areas;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  faced  any  challenges  in  promoting  the  use  of  generic medicines and if so, the steps being taken to overcome them;
- (d) the total number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras that have been opened in Tamil Nadu along with the number of centres targeted to be established by the end of the current financial year; (e) whether the Government plans to include more life-saving or expensive drugs under the generic medicines initiative and if so, the details of such proposals; and
- (f) the steps being taken to ensure the quality and safety of generic medicines sold through Government channels like Jan Aushadhi Kendras?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  CHEMICALS  AND FERTILIZERS

(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) to (c): The Government launched the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme to make quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all. Under the scheme, dedicated outlets known as Jan Aushadhi Kendras are opened across the country to provide  medicines  at  rates  that  are  about  50%  to  80%  cheaper  than  those  of  branded medicines, resulting in savings of about ₹38,000 crore to citizens in comparison to the prices of branded medicines. 2,110 medicines and 315 surgicals, medical consumables and devices are available under the scheme product basket, covering all major therapeutic groups, such as cardiovascular, anti-cancers, anti-diabetic, anti-infectives, anti-allergic and gastro-intestinal medicines and nutraceuticals.

To spread awareness about the scheme and the benefits of generic medicines, and to address implementation challenges that may arise due to lack of awareness, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India, the scheme implementing  agency, regularly undertakes several activities including the following measures:

- (i) Issuance of advertisements in various modes, such as the print media, radio, TV, mobile application, cinema, hoardings, branding of bus queue shelters and buses, auto wrapping and TV screens at Common Service Centres;
- (ii) Outreach  through  social  media  platforms,  such  as  Facebook,  X,  Instagram  and YouTube; and
- (iii) Celebration of Jan Aushadhi Diwas on the 7 th of March every year.

In addition, as per information obtained from the Department of Health and Family Welfare,  the  Directorate  General  of  Health  Services  has  directed  all  Central  Government hospitals to prescribe generic medicines only, and similar instructions have also been issued to  prescribe  drugs  with  generic  name  to  all  Central  Government  Health  Scheme  (CGHS) doctors and wellness centres. Further, paragraph 1.5 of the Code of Medical Ethics in the Indian  Medical  Council  (Professional  Conduct,  Etiquette  and  Ethics)  Regulations,  2002 stipulates  that  every  physician  should  prescribe  drugs  with  generic  names  legibly  and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs, and the Medical Council of India has issued circulars dated 22.11.2012, 18.1.2013 and 21.4.2017 directing all registered medical practitioners to comply with the same. States have also been advised to ensure prescription of generic drugs in public health facilities.

(d): Under the scheme, a total of 16,912 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened till 30.6.2025,  out  of  which  1,432  Kendras  have  been  opened  in  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu. Government has decided to increase the number of JAKs opened to 20,000 by 31.3.2026. There is no State- and Union-territory-wise target for opening of new JAKs.

(e)  and  (f):  It  has  been  decided  to  expand  the  product  basket  under  the  scheme  to  2,200 medicines  and  320  surgicals,  medical  consumables  and  devices  by  31.3.2026.  Stringent measures as specified below are in place to ensure that the medicines supplied through Jan Aushadhi Kendras meet standards:

- (i) Medicines are procured only from suppliers certified for World Health Organization - Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP).
- (ii) Each batch of drugs supplied under the scheme is tested at laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and only after passing quality tests, medicines are dispatched to Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
- (iii) Quality audit of the facilities of vendors is routinely done by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India.

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