Opinion | Jan Aushadhi Kendras And India's Medical Revolution Under PM Modi

By 2026, over 18,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are operational across the country, serving over 15 lakh customers daily and generating savings exceeding Rs 40,000 crore for citizens.

In the vast and diverse landscape of India, where over 1.4 billion people navigate the complexities of daily life, access to affordable healthcare has long been a cornerstone of national development. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has witnessed a profound transformation in its medical sector, often dubbed a “medical revolution." At the heart of this revolution lies the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), which has popularised Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs), which are outlets providing high-quality generic medicines at drastically reduced prices. These Kendras symbolize a shift towards equitable healthcare, ensuring that even the most vulnerable sections of society can afford essential treatments without plunging into poverty. Launched in its revitalised form in 2015, the PMBJP has grown exponentially, aligning with Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas".

By 2026, over 18,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are operational across the country, serving over 15 lakh customers daily and generating savings exceeding Rs 40,000 crore for citizens. These centres offer over 2400 medicines and 315 surgical, medical consumables and devices, priced anywhere between 50 per cent to 90 per cent cheaper than branded alternatives. The JAK network is spread across all States and union territories, with over 44% of the shops run by women.

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Jan Aushadhi Kendras are not isolated; they form part of a broader ecosystem of reforms, including the Ayushman Bharat scheme, AI-driven innovations and increased budgetary allocations, all aimed at making India a global health powerhouse. The medical revolution under PM Modi addresses deep-rooted issues like high out-of-pocket expenses, which previously pushed 60 million Indians into poverty annually, under previously inept Congress regimes. With healthcare spending historically hovering around 1 per cent of GDP, the Modi government decided to ramp up investments, fostering self-reliance through “Atmanirbhar Bharat" and integrating technology for better outcomes.

India’s healthcare journey has been marked by contrasts, wherein there is a rich heritage of traditional medicine like Ayurveda, coexisting with modern challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and unequal access. Pre-2014, the sector was plagued by inefficiencies. Public health expenditure was minimal, leading to reliance on expensive private care. Generic medicines, though available, were mistrusted due to quality concerns, and branded drugs dominated the market, inflating costs by up to 500-1000 per cent over generics. The Jan Aushadhi scheme was first introduced under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. However, under the incompetent Congress led UPA, it faltered, with only 80 outlets operational by 2014, limited to a few States. The Congress Party has always failed miserably because almost all its schemes have suffered from endemic corruption and embarrassingly flawed execution, with JAKs being no different. However, PM Modi changed all that, making JAKs accessible, affordable, and most importantly, functional.

Under the erstwhile Congress, JAKs suffered from supply chain issues, lack of awareness and resistance from pharmaceutical lobbies, favoring branded products. Rural areas, home to 65 per cent of the population, suffered the most, with limited access to pharmacies and high transportation costs exacerbating the problem. Maternal and child health indicators were alarming, with India accounting for one-third of global maternal deaths and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension burdened millions.

The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), a precursor to larger insurance schemes, covered only a fraction of the poor, leaving gaps in primary and preventive care. Recognizing healthcare as a pillar of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047, the Modi government prioritized affordability, accessibility, and quality. The relaunch of PMBJP in 2015 marked a turning point, emphasising stringent quality controls through WHO-GMP certified suppliers and aggressive expansion. This was complemented by digital initiatives like e-Pharmacies and the National Health Mission’s focus on rural health centres. By 2026, the sector has grown at a solid CAGR of 22 per cent since 2016. Budgetary boosts, such as the 2026 Union Budget’s allocation of Rs 1.05 lakh crore, an 18 per cent increase, have fueled this growth, emphasizing AI, biotech, and workforce skilling.

PM Modi’s approach has shifted from reactive to proactive healthcare, integrating traditional systems like Ayush with modern tech, setting the stage for global leadership. The PMBJP, rebranded and relaunched under Modi in November 2016 (though conceptualised earlier), aimed to provide quality generics at 50-90% lower prices than branded equivalents. Managed by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, it ensures medicines are procured from certified manufacturers and distributed through dedicated Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Initially slow, the scheme accelerated post-2016. From 1080 JAKs in 2016-17, the number surged to 3306 by 2017-18, exceeding annual targets consistently. By 2020-21, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, 7557 JAK outlets were functional, reaching a stellar record of over 18,000 outlets by start of 2026. Key evolutions include product diversification from 361 medicines in 2015 to over 2400 by 2026, covering antibiotics, antidiabetics, antihypertensives, and even surgical items. Prices are capped; for instance, a common painkiller that costs Rs 100 in the market is available for Rs 10-20 at Kendras. Incentives for operators, up to Rs 5 lakh for set-up in normal areas and Rs 7.5 lakh in special categories like Northeast and tribal regions, have spurred entrepreneurship. Over 8000 Kendras are women-led, empowering female entrepreneurs.

Digital integration via the Jan Aushadhi Sugam app allows users to locate outlets and check stock, enhancing transparency. Success stories abound. In rural Bihar, a kendra owner reported sales doubling post-awareness campaigns, saving locals Rs 5000 monthly on chronic meds. In urban slums of Mumbai, families shifted from branded drugs, reducing expenses by 70 per cent. Challenges like initial quality scepticism were addressed through NABL-accredited testing and public campaigns. By 2026, with over 18,000 Kendras, the evolution reflects Modi’s strategic push for self-reliance in pharma, reducing import dependence and boosting domestic manufacturing. From a mere 80 outlets in 2014 to 16,955 by October 2025, and over 18,000 in early 2026, the JAK network has expanded at a scorching pace of over 200 times in the last 12 years alone. Sales hit Rs 2022 crore in 2024-25, up 37.4 per cent from Rs 1471 crore in 2023-24, with cumulative sales over Rs 61,000 crore in the last decade, translating to a record Rs 30,000 crore in savings. In FY25 alone, sales from April to October reached Rs 1245 crore, benefiting 10 lakh customers daily.

Clearly, the impact is multifaceted; economic, social, and health-wise. Economically, it has created jobs for over 100,000 people, including pharmacists and entrepreneurs. Socially, it empowers marginalised groups; in tribal areas, JAKs have reduced travel for medicines, improving adherence to treatments. Health impacts are evident in better management of NCDs. For diabetes patients, insulin at Kendras costs 50-70 per cent less, leading to higher compliance and fewer complications. A study highlighted that low-income households saved half their income on meds, allowing funds for nutrition and education, which is great news.

Uttar Pradesh leads with over 2000 Kendras, while smaller States like Sikkim have full coverage. Success stories include a Delhi Kendra where sales of antibiotics and painkillers surged, and a Gujarat outlet saving families Rs 1000-5,000 monthly.

This growth not only democratizes healthcare but also challenges pharma monopolies, fostering a competitive market for generics. Broader healthcare initiatives under Jan Aushadhi Kendras are a cog in Modi’s comprehensive medical revolution. The flagship Ayushman Bharat, launched in 2018, comprises two pillars–Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) for primary care and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), the world’s largest public health insurance, covering 500 million poor for up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually. By 2026, PM-JAY had already disbursed well over Rs 9500 crore.

The India-AI Mission, approved in March 2024 with Rs 10,372 crore, leverages AI for diagnostics, telemedicine, and surveillance. At the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, PM Modi highlighted AI’s role in early detection of TB and retinopathy, reaching remote areas. Centres of Excellence in healthcare and sustainable cities are training AI experts.

Budget 2026 emphasises biotech with measures like Biopharma Shakti (Rs 10,000 crore), expanding scope of NIPER institutes, and 1000 clinical trial sites. Workforce skilling includes training 1 lakh allied health professionals and 1.5 lakh caregivers, addressing shortages. Medical tourism hubs and Ayurveda promotion, position India globally, with five integrated hubs announced. Mental health gets a boost with NIMHANS-2 and upgrades in Ranchi and Tezpur. The Ayush sector, under Modi’s push, has seen institutional growth, integrating with allopathic care for preventive health. These initiatives collectively aim for universal health care (UHC), reducing out-of-pocket costs from 62 per cent to below 50 per cent by 2026. Future healthcare prospects are bright, with the aim of expanding to 25,000 JAKs by 2027, integrating with e-Sanjeevani telemedicine, and using AI for predictive analytics. Global exports of generics could rise, bolstering “Heal in India, Heal by India." PM Modi’s medical revolution, anchored by Jan Aushadhi Kendras, has made healthcare a right, not a privilege. With billions saved and lives improved, India strides towards Viksit Bharat, proving that bold reforms yield lasting impact.

The author is an economist, national spokesperson for BJP and bestselling author of ‘The Modi Gambit’. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.

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