Jammu Kashmir Accounts has 114 Jan Aushadhi Kendras Operational | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir accounts for just 0.63 per cent of the total Jan Aushadhi Kendras operational across India under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, according to data placed in the Lok Sabha.

Responding to a Question, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel informed the House that 17,990 Jan Aushadhi Kendras had been opened nationwide as of December 31, 2025, with a target to expand the network to 25,000 by March 2027 under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.

As per the annexure tabled in Parliament, Jammu and Kashmir has 114 operational Jan Aushadhi Kendras spread across all its 20 districts. This places the Union Territory’s share at approximately 0.63 per cent of the national total.

District-wise, in the Kashmir division, Srinagar leads with 18 Kendras, followed by Baramulla with 12 and Anantnag with 11. Budgam has 9 Kendras, Kupwara 8, Pulwama 7, Bandipora 6, Kulgam 5, Shopian 4 and Ganderbal 3.

In the Jammu division, Jammu district has the highest concentration with 15 Kendras, followed by Udhampur with 5. Kathua and Rajouri have 4 each, Doda and Poonch 3 each, while Ramban, Kishtwar and Samba have 2 Kendras each, and Reasi has 1.

The data indicates that Srinagar alone accounts for nearly 15.8 per cent of all Kendras in Jammu and Kashmir, while the twin urban districts of Srinagar and Jammu together account for 28.9 per cent of the Union Territory’s total network.

Nationally, the Janaushadhi product basket comprises 2,110 medicines and 315 medical devices and consumables, covering major therapeutic categories such as cardiovascular, oncology, anti-diabetic, anti-infective, anti-allergic and gastrointestinal drugs. Prices of Jan Aushadhi medicines are stated to be 50 per cent to 80 per cent lower than leading branded alternatives.

The scheme is implemented by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India, which operates a supply chain network of five warehouses and monitors 400 fast-moving products to ensure regular availability. Stocking of 200 commonly used medicines has been incentivised since September 2024 to address supply gaps.

The government also informed the House that prices are fixed at least 50 per cent below the ceiling price for medicines listed in the National List of Essential Medicines, and at least 50 per cent lower than the average MRP of the top three brands for non-NLEM drugs. Complaints regarding overcharging or stock shortages can be lodged through the CPGRAMS portal, by email or via the PMBJP helpline.

With a national target of 25,000 Kendras by March 2027, the expansion trajectory suggests scope for further scaling up of the network in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in districts with low outlet density such as Reasi, Samba and Kishtwar.