The branded (Generic) medicines are sold at significantly higher prices than their unbranded generic equivalents, though are identical in the therapeutic value. Given the widespread poverty across the country, making available reasonably priced quality generic medicines in the market would benefit everyone. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses. PMBJP stores have been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs. It was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in November 2008 under the name Jan Aushadi Campaign. Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) is the implementation agency for PMBJP. Vision, Mission and Objective Vision To bring down the healthcare budget of every citizen of India through providing Quality generic Medicines at Affordable Prices. Mission Create awareness among the public regarding generic medicines. Create demand for generic medicines through medical practitioners. Create awareness through education and awareness program that high price need not be synonymous with high quality. Provide all the commonly used generic medicines covering all the therapeutic groups. Provide all the related health care products too under the scheme. Objective Making quality medicines available at affordable prices for all, particularly the poor and disadvantaged, through exclusive outlets "Jan Aushadhi Medical Store", so as to reduce out of pocket expenses in healthcare. About Jan Aushadhi Store (JAS) JAS has been opened across the country. To view the list of State-wise / District-wise JAS along with their locations, click here. The normal working hours of JAS are 8 Am to 8 PM. All therapeutic medicines are made available from Jan Aushadhi Stores. To get the list of medicines with their MRP which is presently available, click here. In addition to medicines and surgical items supplied by BPPI, Jan Aushadhi stores also sell allied medical products commonly sold in chemist shops so as to improve the viability of running the Jan Aushadhi store. OTC (Over-the-counter) products can be purchased by any individual without a prescription. A prescription from a registered medical practitioner is necessary for the purchase of scheduled drugs. Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs for co-coordinating procurement, supply and marketing of generic drugs through the Jan Aushadhi Stores. The quality, safety and efficacy of medicines are ensured by getting each batch of medicines procured from CPSUs as well as private suppliers tested from NABL approved laboratories and conforming to the required standards before the same are supplied to Supers stockists /Jan Aushadhi Stores from the Warehouse of PMBI. Locate your nearest Jan Aushadi store Janaushadhi Sugam Mobile App provides citizens the assistance to locate nearby Janaushadhi kendra, direction guided through Google Map for location of the Janaushadhi kendra, search Janaushadhi generic medicines, analyze product comparison of Generic and Branded medicine in form of MRP & overall Savings, etc. Janaushadhi Sugam Mobile App is available on both Android & iphone platforms. To download the app for Android OS, click here. To download the app for iOS, click here. Who can open a Jan Aushadhi store? Individual applicants must be having D. Pharma/B. Pharma Degrees, or he/she have to employ D. Pharma/B. Pharma degree holders and produce proof of the same at the time of submitting applications or at the time of final approval. Any organization, NGO applying for a PMBJK will have to employ B. Pharma / D. Pharma degree holders and produce proof of the same at the time of submitting applications or at the time of final approval. On Govt. hospital premises including medical colleges, the preferred agency would be reputed NGOs/ Charitable organizations, but individuals would also be eligible as recommended by the Hospital authorities. Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) under Co-operative sector are also eligible for opening of Jan Aushadhi Kendras for better coverage in rural areas. Requirements for opening a Jan Aushadhi stores by organizations/individuals other than government nominated Applications shall be submitted online. For online submission, click here. Own space or hired space duly supported by proper lease agreement; Minimum required space conforming to standards as approved by the PMBI i.e. 120 sq. ft. Proof of securing a pharmacist with name, Registration with the State Council etc. (or it can be submitted at the time of final approval of PMBJK) Minimum distance between 2 Jan Aushadi stores Metropolitan and Million-Plus Cities: A minimum distance of 0.5 km (500 meters) is required to be maintained between any 2 JAKs located in cities as mentioned in category (a) & (b) below:(a) In 7 metropolitan cities, i.e, in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.(b) In cities with a population of one million or more (as per the latest available Census). Any other place: In any place other than those listed in (i), a minimum distance of 1 km (one kilometer) is required to be maintained between any two JAKs. The minimum distance measurement criteria is not applicable to JAKs which are either located or proposed to be established, within the premise of any Government hospital/clinic. For individuals, Aadhaar and PAN Card are mandatory. For Institutions/NGO/ Charitable Institute/Hospital etc. documents include Aadhaar Card, PAN card, Certificate of Incorporation and Registration certificate. For Government/ Govt Nominated Agency documents include Details of Department who has allocated the space, along with supporting documents/ sanction order, PAN card and Aadhaar Card. Proof of securing a pharmacist with computer knowledge (name of the pharmacist, Registration with the State Council etc. needs to be furnished ). Financial capacity to run the Store supported by audited accounts for the last three years (Bank Statements for the last 02 years or sanction letter from Bank for extending loan in case of individuals) application fees of Rs. 5,000/- is to be deposited along with the application form. Application fee is not applicable in case the applicant belongs to the category of Women Entrepreneurs, Divyang, SC, ST & any entrepreneurs of Aspirational Districts (backward district) as notified by the NITI Aayog, in Himalayan, Island territories and North Eastern states. For exemption of fee, the applicant has to submit the proof of their category. If applicant is under the category of Women entrepreneurs, Divyang, SC, ST, Ex-Serviceman & any entrepreneurs of Aspirational Districts (backward district) as notified by the Niti Aayog, in Himalayan, Island territories and North-Eastern states, the applicant has to submit suitable certificate/proof from respective authorities along with undertaking at the time of application. The applicant must mention the category for getting the suitable benefit and category mentioned in application form. Once the category is selected by the applicant, later on the applicant will not be able to change it in future due to any reason. Procedure for opening a Jan Aushadhi store Online application can be done at https://janaushadhi.gov.in/login-to-kendra For detailed guidelines, click here. Financial support available for JA store owner The following financial support is available: Incentive to the Jan Aushadhi Kendra owners to be given @20% of monthly purchases made, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 20,000/- per month in light of stocking mandate. One-time additional incentive of Rs. 2.00 lakh (as reimbursement for IT & infra expenditure) is provided to the Jan Aushadhi Kendras opened in North-Eastern States, Himalayan areas, Island territories and backward areas mentioned as Aspirational District by NITI Aayog or if opened by women entrepreneur, Divyang and SC & ST, Ex-Serviceman. Helpline National Toll-free Helpline: 1800-180-8080 Source: Jan Aushadhi website