Frequently Asked Questions

‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)’ is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in association with Central Pharma Public Sector Undertakings, to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through dedicated outlets called 'Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra'. These provide generic medicines at much lesser price. The potency of these medicines are same as compared to expensive branded medicines available in the open market.

Generic drugs are marketed under a non-proprietary or approved name rather than a proprietary or brand name. Generic drugs are equally effective and inexpensive compared to their branded counterparts.

PMBI (Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India) 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 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.

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 Super stockists /Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras from the warehouse of PMBI.

The generic drugs have same efficacy and therapeutic value as that of the branded medicines.

By taking generic medicines, a patient can reduce his/her expenditure on medicines drastically.

The endeavour of PMBI is to make available all therapeutic medicines at Jan Aushadhi Stores. A list of medicines with their MRP which are presently available are given under the heading “PMBJP Products- Therapeutic groups” on the website of PMBI. More medicines are being added to this list.

More than 13000 are currently functional. List of State-wise / District-wise PMBJK's along with their locations are available under the heading “PMBJP => PMBJP Kendra” of the website of PMBI.

The normal working hours of PMBJK's are 8 AM to 8 PM.

Medicines are procured through an open tender system from private manufacturers as well as CPSUs. Each batch of procured medicines are duly tested from empanelled NABL laboratories and sent to Kendra through distribution network.

• Individual entrepreneur / Proprietor
• Partnership
• Charitable Institute/Hospital
• NGO/ Trust/ Society
• Government/ Government Nominated Agency
• Any Other (Please specify)

• Own space or hired space duly supported by proper lease agreement
• Minimum required space conforming to standards as approved by the PMBI
• Sale license from competent authority (Retail drug license in the name of the applicant and/or Tin No.)
• Proof of securing a pharmacist (name of the pharmacist, Registration with the State Council etc. needs to be furnished)
• Financial capacity to run the Store by submitting the document (ITR, Bank Statement, PAN/Aadhar, etc.)
• Drug License in name of “Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendra”.

For detailed guidelines and procedure, please click “Apply for Kendra” on our website

a.  Operating agency will be provided 20% margin on MRP (Excluding taxes) of each drug.
b. Special Incentive: Special incentive shall be granted for PMBJK opened by the Women entrepreneurs, Divyaang, SCs & STs, Ex-servicemen & any entrepreneurs open ‘Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK)’ at aspirational districts (backward district) as notified by the NITI Aayog & in Himalayan, Island territories and North- Eastern. An amount of Rs. 2.00 lakhs in addition to normal incentives as applicable is to be given to above mentioned entrepreneurs as mentioned below :–

• Rs. 1.50 lakh reimbursement of furniture and fixtures
• Rs. 0.50 lakh as reimbursement for Computer, internet, printer, scanner etc.

This will be one-time grant for opening of new PMBJK against submission of original bills and restricted up to actual expenditure incurred.

Note: “The Special incentive shall be granted to the Women entrepreneurs, Divyang, SCs & STs, Ex-servicemen & any entrepreneurs open ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK)’ at aspirational districts as notified by the Niti Aayog, In Himalayan, Island territories and North- Eastern states based on One Family – One Grant formula. It means any above mentioned eligible PMBJK owner shall be granted special incentive only once and no other person from his/her family/relative shall be granted special incentive thereafter. For this Purpose, “Relative” means – “Relative”, in relation to an individual, means the husband, Wife, unmarried dependent brother or sister or any lineal ascendant or descendant of that individual.”

c. Normal Incentive: PMBJK run by other entrepreneurs/Pharmacist/NGOs/NGOs & Charitable organization that are linked with PMBI headquarters through software will get incentive up to Rs. 5.00 lakhs. The incentive will be given @ 15% of monthly purchase made from PMBI by these PMBJKs subject to ceiling of Rs 15,000/- per month up to total limit of 5.00 lakhs. It will also cover PMBJK opened by Women entrepreneurs, Divyang, SCs & STs, Ex-servicemen & any entrepreneurs open ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK)’ at aspirational districts as notified by the Niti Aayog, In Himalayan, Island territories and North- Eastern state.

This will be applicable to existing PMBJK also whose existing limit of incentives of Rs 2.50 lakh is fully disbursed, moreover it will also cover the PMBJK opened in government premises to Whom one-time grant of Rs 2.50 lakh was disbursed. They will get incentive of Rs 2.50 lakh based on purchase made by them from PMBI as per other terms and conditions applicable to all PMBJKs.

Further, any PMBJK opened in Government premises will get normal incentives as applicable to PMBJK in private premises.