Medicines have become costlier over the years, and for many households, buying monthly medicine feels like another bill they cannot avoid. To ease this burden, the government started the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, better known as the Jan Aushadhi scheme. The whole idea is simple: make sure people get good, reliable generic medicines at a much cheaper rate than the expensive branded ones.
Across the country, thousands of Jan Aushadhi Kendras are running, and these stores sell a wide range of medicines for everyday use. The price difference is huge—sometimes 50%, sometimes even 90% less than the medicines we usually purchase.
Below is a small sample list of medicines, just to give you an idea of how affordable they are.
Sample Jan Aushadhi Medicine List & Approx Prices
| Medicine / Salt | Strength | Approx Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Paracetamol | 500 mg (10 tabs) | ₹4–6 |
| Metformin | 500 mg (10 tabs) | ₹8–12 |
| Amlodipine | 5 mg (10 tabs) | ₹5–7 |
| Telmisartan | 40 mg (10 tabs) | ₹12–18 |
| Pantoprazole | 40 mg (10 tabs) | ₹8–12 |
| Atorvastatin | 10 mg (10 tabs) | ₹15–20 |
| Azithromycin | 500 mg (3 tabs) | ₹35–40 |
| Levothyroxine | 50 mcg (10 tabs) | ₹5–7 |
| Ciprofloxacin | 500 mg (10 tabs) | ₹15–20 |
| Vitamin B-Complex | 10 tabs | ₹10–15 |
| ORS Powder | 1 packet | ₹7–10 |
| Cough Syrup | 100 ml | ₹20–30 |
The complete list is much longer, but this sample shows how big the price difference is.
Why Are These Medicines So Cheap?
People sometimes assume something is wrong if the price is too low. But the reason is actually quite straightforward:
Branded companies spend a ton on marketing and packaging, and that cost gets added to the MRP.
Jan Aushadhi versions don’t have those extra layers. The medicine — the salt — remains the same.
Think of it like buying rice without a fancy brand name printed on the bag.
Where I Checked the Prices
You can verify prices easily, the same way I did:
- The Jan Aushadhi Sugam App shows everything quite neatly.
- The official website also works fine.
- Or you can simply walk into a nearby Kendra and ask — they normally keep a printed list.
It just depends on what’s convenient for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (Based on What People Usually Ask)
1. Are Jan Aushadhi medicines really safe?
Yes, they go through proper testing. The government wouldn’t run such a huge program without quality checks.
2. Are they exactly the same as branded medicines?
In terms of salt and effect — yes. The brand name is the only difference.
3. Do I need a prescription?
Only for prescription-based drugs. Pain gels, ORS, basic vitamins, etc., don’t need one.
4. Can I return them if I don’t want them?
Usually no, unless there’s an issue like damage or expiry.
5. Are diabetes and BP medicines available?
Yes. In fact, those are among the most commonly sold items.
6. How much can a normal person save?
Honestly, a lot. Many people save anywhere between 50% to even 90%.
Conclusion
The Jan Aushadhi scheme isn’t perfect, but it genuinely helps people cut down their medical expenses. If you’re someone who buys medicines every month, you might want to check these stores at least once. You’ll get a pretty good idea of how much you can save just by switching to generic versions.
