Spiralling healthcare costs are driving a growing number of patients to opt for low-cost generics — a shift made possible by the government’s Jan Aushadhi scheme, which offers an affordable alternative to expensive branded medicines.
According to reports, generic medicines in Jan Aushadhi stores are 50–80% cheaper than branded alternatives, giving patients a cost-effective choice for treatment.
For the unversed, medicines can be sub-divided into three categories: generic drugs, branded generics and branded drugs. A generic drug is sold under its chemical name rather than under a specific brand name. Branded generics contain the same active ingredient as generics (and tend to be much costlier) but are marketed under their own trademarks. Branded drugs are typically under patent protection and thus significantly more expensive.
Generic medicines, in contrast, sold through the government’s Jan Aushadhi scheme, offer steep savings compared to average market rates.
As a report highlights with specific examples, under this initiative, 10 tablets of paracetamol (650 mg), which is used to treat pain and fever, cost only Rs 15, as opposed to Rs 33 in conventional pharmacies. The market price of pantoprazole (40 mg), which is frequently used to treat acidity, is Rs 90, but it is only accessible for Rs 12 under low-cost generics.
At Jan Aushadhi stores, atorvastatin (20 mg), which is prescribed to decrease cholesterol, costs Rs 12—much less than the Rs 147 that is normally charged elsewhere.
Although its market price is Rs 2,158, Imatinib (400 mg) is sold under the plan for Rs 225 for the treatment of cancer. In a similar vein, Gefitinib (250 mg) costs Rs 440, a substantial amount less than its market value of Rs 2,635. These price differences demonstrate how the programme might drastically reduce the cost and improve millions of people’s access to essential pharmaceuticals.
Not that all medical practitioners are convinced about its absolute credibility. Yet, generics undergo thorough quality checks.
According to reports, all medicines sold via Jan Aushadhi Kendras come from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers, ensuring quality benchmarks.
They undergo rigorous quality checks in NABL-accredited laboratories. Only after undergoing these stringent processes are they available to the public.
Over 300 medicines have been added to its catalogue in the last three years, a proof of low-cost generics gradually winning public trust.
Furthermore, to support accessibility, a mobile app — Janaushadhi Sugam — has also been launched, helping users locate nearby stores and check medicine availability.
However, sceptics continue to voice their discomfort. Questions still surround their efficacy although the government has instructed physicians to prescribe medications by their generic names and encouraged routine audits of public health institutions.
Policymakers and health officials are debating the necessity of fostering public confidence in generic medications. Their position is unambiguous: generics provide a safe, efficient, and long-lasting route to more equal healthcare when they are properly supervised and subject to constant quality assurance.
Jan Aushadhi scheme at a glance
Price advantage: Generic medicines offer 50%–80% less prices than branded drugs
Quality assurance: All drugs are WHO-GMP and NABL certified
Growth in outlets:
– 2014–15: 80 stores
– 2024–25: 16,000+ stores
Sales:
– 2014–15: Rs 7.5 crore
– 2024–25: Rs 2,000 crore+
Expansion:
– 2014–15: 400 products
– 2024–25: 2,425 products including 310+ surgical and medical devices
Warehouse network:
– Grew from one to five warehouses since 2014
Top five states who adopted it (by store count)
– Uttar Pradesh: 2,908
– Kerala: 1,584
– Karnataka: 1,453
– Tamil Nadu: 1,396
– Bihar: 874
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