More Jan Aushadhi Kendras Soon: Govt Eases Distance Norms For Opening Pharmacies In Metro, 'Million-Plus Cities'

Last Updated:September 11, 2025, 08:00 IST

Move aims to expand the reach of affordable generic medicines under PMBJP; new rules scrap the minimum-distance requirement in seven metros and 46 large cities

Jan Aushadhi Kendras, or JAKs, are pharmacy outlets under the PMBJP scheme selling generic drugs at almost half the price of the branded drugs. (File pic/X)

The central government has relaxed the rules for establishing affordable pharmacy stores, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, doing away with minimum-distance requirements in metropolitan and “million-plus cities", News18 has learnt.

The move aims to improve the outreach of the pharmacy chain selling generic drugs under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). The Jan Aushadhi Kendras provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices. With over 11,000 Kendras already operational nationwide, the scheme is a key element of India’s push to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure and offers generic drugs at least half the price of their branded counterparts.

According to an internal document issued on September 10 by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the department responsible for the execution of the scheme, “with a view to enhance public accessibility, equitable distribution, and wider outreach of Jan Aushadhi Kendras, especially in densely populated urban agglomerations, it has been decided to incorporate the following modifications in the extant guidelines concerning minimum-distance requirements in the scheme."

The document, seen by News18, clarified that as per the revised policy, “In the seven metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, henceforth, there will be no requirement to maintain minimum distance between any two Jan Aushadhi Kendras."

‘Million-Plus Cities’ Covered

The relaxation will also apply to cities with a population of more than one million, based on the 2011 Census. The government has decided that in cities with a population of more than one million, as per the latest census, there will be no requirement to maintain a minimum distance, except in cases where a Jan Aushadhi Kendra has not completed a period of two years from the date of its opening.

In such cases, “the existing policy of maintaining a minimum distance of one kilometre from such Jan Aushadhi Kendra shall continue to apply till expiry of the said period of two years from the date of opening of the Kendra," said the document signed by the scheme’s new chief executive officer, Suvasis Das.

The million-plus list includes 46 urban agglomerations with a combined population of 80.57 million as per the 2011 Census. These include major centres like Pune (5.05 million), Surat (4.59 million), Jaipur (3.07 million), Kanpur (2.92 million), Lucknow (2.9 million), Nagpur (2.5 million), Ghaziabad (2.36 million), Indore (2.17 million), Coimbatore (2.15 million), and Kochi (2.12 million).

Rules Unchanged for Smaller Towns

For smaller towns and other urban areas not covered under these categories, the existing norms remain in force. “For any other city/town…the requirement of maintaining a minimum distance of 1 KM (one kilometre) between any two Jan Aushadhi Kendra, shall continue to remain in force without any modification."

Directing strict compliance, Das ordered all officers, officials, and functionaries of the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) to “give immediate effect" to the provisions of the circular and ensure adherence while processing, sanctioning, and operationalising new Jan Aushadhi Kendras under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.

Himani Chandna

Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass...Read More

Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass...

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