The Government of India has taken a significant step toward ensuring affordable healthcare for rural populations by enabling Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to operate Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJK) under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. This initiative is aimed at providing access to high-quality, generic medicines at affordable prices in regions where healthcare services are often limited.
PACS, which serve over 130 million small and marginal farmers across the country, are now leveraging their extensive rural infrastructure to establish and operate Jan Aushadhi Kendras. These societies utilize existing assets such as land, buildings, and storage facilities to create hubs for affordable medicine, addressing the critical need for healthcare access in underserved areas. With their longstanding relationship and trust among rural populations, PACS are uniquely positioned to ensure the success and sustainability of these Kendras.
Under the scheme, the Department of Pharmaceuticals provides incentives to Kendras at the rate of 20% of monthly purchases made from Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India, subject to a maximum cap of $240 (₹20,000) per month and compliance with stock mandate conditions. Additionally, operators of the Kendras are entitled to a 20% profit margin based on the Maximum Retail Price (excluding taxes) of each drug. They are also permitted to sell allied medical products typically available in pharmacies. These measures have been designed to ensure that Jan Aushadhi Kendras operated by PACS remain economically viable while contributing to public health objectives.
The initiative aligns with the National Health Policy’s focus on equitable access to quality healthcare. It aims to address broader public health challenges by making affordable medicines available to underserved rural populations. Furthermore, the integration of PACS and Jan Aushadhi Kendras has a dual impact: economically empowering small and marginal farmers by reducing their medical expenses and enabling them to allocate more resources to agricultural productivity. It also creates employment opportunities at the PACS level, allowing these societies to generate additional revenue streams.
PACS, with their vast network and community-focused approach, aim to expand the reach of Jan Aushadhi Kendras to a larger segment of the country’s rural population. This initiative represents a strategic move by the government to strengthen healthcare infrastructure while promoting socioeconomic development in rural areas.
This information was shared by the Minister of Cooperation in a written reply to a question raised during a session of the Rajya Sabha, highlighting the government’s commitment to enhancing rural healthcare and empowering agricultural communities through innovative measures.
