• Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) are pharmacies that have been established to provide affordable medicines in rural and underserved areas under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India (GoI).

• In an effort to provide generic medicines at affordable prices to hard-to-reach, underserved populations, the GoI has enabled the integration of JAKS with Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS).
  PACS are well-established entities with their own infrastructure (such as land, building, and storage facilities), serving a vast rural network of over 13 crores small and marginal farmers.

• The establishment of JAKs at PACS allows them to serve as affordable medicine hubs in remote areas where health access is limited. The established trust of the rural population in PACS further aids in ensuring the success of these Kendras.

• Over 2,690 PACS have received approval, with 687 JAKs operational at PACS as of 30th November 2024.

• Other than at PACS, applications for establishing JAKs has been open to individuals, NGOs, trusts, societies, and private firms, with a 1 km minimum distance between two JAKs. In general, for operating a JAK.

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