8th Jan Aushadhi Diwas Celebrated; Top Janaushadhi Kendra Owners Honoured

The 8th Jan Aushadhi Diwas was celebrated in New Delhi, highlighting the success of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in expanding access to affordable medicines across India. The event was attended by Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilisers Jagat Prakash Nadda, Minister of State Anupriya Patel, and Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals Manoj Joshi.

During the programme, 13 top-performing Janaushadhi Kendra owners from different states, including three from Delhi, were honoured for their contribution to promoting affordable healthcare through the scheme.

Recognising Grassroots Healthcare Entrepreneurs

At the event, the awardees shared their experiences of running Janaushadhi Kendras, which provide quality generic medicines at significantly lower prices compared to branded drugs.

Among the awardees was Prof. Dr. Ruksana Najeeb from Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir, who spoke about her efforts to create awareness about generic medicines by organising outreach camps and awareness programmes. She also highlighted initiatives to strengthen the supply chain to ensure continuous availability of medicines.

From Kolkata, West Bengal, Shri Jyoti Banerjee said he was inspired by the objectives of the Janaushadhi initiative and praised its impact in making healthcare affordable for ordinary citizens.

Expanding Access During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr. Anita Ramesh from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, shared that she established her Janaushadhi Kendra during the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to affordable medicines was critical for many families. She noted that her centre has introduced home delivery services to help patients receive medicines more conveniently.

Similarly, Ms. Meena from Delhi said she started her Kendra during the pandemic and has successfully operated it for the past five years. She added that the appreciation and blessings received from beneficiaries motivate her to continue serving the community.

Scheme Supporting Public Health and Employment

Kendra owners highlighted that the Janaushadhi initiative not only improves access to affordable medicines but also generates employment opportunities. They noted that the scheme helps families significantly reduce healthcare expenses while ensuring the availability of quality medicines.

Participants also suggested further improvements, including expanding the range of available medicines and creating a grievance redressal portal to address operational issues faced by Kendra operators.

Awardees from Across the Country

Several Janaushadhi Kendra operators and institutions were recognised during the ceremony. Among those honoured were Shri Arun Kumar (Jharkhand), Shri Ranjan Kumar (Patna, Bihar), Shri Sudhanya Gupta (Jammu & Kashmir), Shri Raj Kumar Verma (Uttar Pradesh), and Shri Sinam Pritam Singh (Manipur).

Institutions including AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, and HLL Lifecare Ltd. in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, were also felicitated for their contributions to the scheme. Other awardees included Shri Ram Iqbal Singh (South Delhi) and Shri Dewanshu Monga (Central Delhi).

Beneficiaries Share Impact of Affordable Medicines

During the programme, Union Minister J. P. Nadda interacted with beneficiaries of the Janaushadhi scheme, who shared how affordable generic medicines have helped reduce the financial burden of healthcare.

Beneficiaries noted that medicines available through Janaushadhi Kendras are significantly cheaper than branded alternatives, making treatment accessible to families across income groups.

Government Reaffirms Commitment to Affordable Healthcare

The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the government's commitment to expanding the reach of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, which aims to provide quality medicines at affordable prices through a nationwide network of Janaushadhi Kendras.

Officials said the scheme continues to play a vital role in improving access to essential medicines and strengthening India's public healthcare ecosystem.