Coal India Ltd has signed a significant agreement with the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) to open 12 Jan Aushadhi Kendras. These stores will be established at Coal India's operational sites across several states, including West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Assam.
The Jan Aushadhi Kendras are dedicated outlets designed to provide generic medicines at substantially lower prices compared to branded drugs. Typically, generic medicines offered at these centres are 50 to 90 percent cheaper, making them a valuable resource for affordable healthcare.
The initiative aims to enhance accessibility to quality medications for Coal India's workforce and their families. By setting up these kendras at various Coal India locations, the project seeks to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses for workers and local communities while also creating employment opportunities for entrepreneurs in these regions.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Coal India and PMBI is part of a broader effort to improve healthcare accessibility across India. Under this agreement, each Jan Aushadhi Kendra will be strategically placed within or near Coal India’s operational areas, including coal fields and selected hospitals, as deemed suitable by the mining company.
In addition to this partnership, the Madhya Pradesh government has recently inaugurated 50 Jan Aushadhi Kendras in district hospitals across the state.
These centres will offer over 2,000 generic medicines and 300 surgical and nutraceutical products at prices significantly lower than branded alternatives. This move aims to further alleviate the financial burden on patients and expand the reach of affordable healthcare.
The Indian government is working towards a goal of increasing the number of Jan Aushadhi outlets to 25,000 by 2026, up from the current tally of more than 12,000.
These efforts are part of a comprehensive plan to ensure that a minimum stock of at least 200 commonly-used medicines is available at Jan Aushadhi stores around the clock.
The average monthly sales at these outlets have reportedly risen to approximately ₹150,000, reflecting growing consumer trust and reliance on these affordable healthcare options.
The collaboration between Coal India and PMBI is expected to significantly contribute to this upward trend, making essential medicines more accessible to a broader population.
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