The same medicines for less: a guide to Jan Aushadhi generics
Government Jan Aushadhi Kendras sell quality-tested generic medicines at 50–80% less than branded ones. How to find one and switch safely
The Pushpa team· 2 sources
Pushpa notes24
Branded
Metformin 500
₹ ₹ ₹
Jan Aushadhi generic
Metformin 500
₹
Same medicine, same dose
Same medicine, less
A parent on five or six tablets a day can spend a lot on medicines every month, for years. The government's Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana runs a network of shops selling generic medicines, the same active ingredients as the brands, at a fraction of the price
50–80%
lower prices than comparable branded medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PIB, March 2026)
What's on offer
Over 18,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country, with a target of 25,000 by March 2027
2,110 medicines and 315 surgical items, covering the common ones for BP, diabetes, heart and thyroid
Medicines from WHO-GMP certified suppliers, with every batch tested at NABL-accredited labs, the government says
How to find one
The free Jan Aushadhi Sugam app, on Android and iPhone, finds the nearest Kendra on a map, shows whether a medicine is in stock, and compares its price with branded equivalents
Switching safely
Ask her doctor before switching, and ask them to write the generic name on the prescription. India's medical ethics code asks doctors to prescribe by generic name as far as possible
Match the salt name and the strength exactly: metformin 500 mg is metformin 500 mg
After a switch, a new tablet may look different. Tell her, and update her medicine list, so she doesn't take both
Keep an eye on how she feels for the first couple of weeks, and mention anything new to her doctor
How Pushpa helpsPushpa keeps her medicine list by generic name, so a new-looking strip from a Jan Aushadhi Kendra is recognised as the same tablet, not a second one
The Pushpa team · 2 sources
Pushpa
Pushpa
