Falling ill during a journey is stressful, and buying medicine at a station chemist has never been cheap. Jan Aushadhi Kendras at railway stations change that, offering the same medicines at a fraction of branded prices. This guide explains what they are, what you can buy, how much you save, where to find them, and what to check before you buy.
What Is a Jan Aushadhi Kendra?
A Jan Aushadhi Kendra is a government-backed pharmacy selling quality generic medicines at sharply reduced prices. The scheme runs under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), managed by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Bringing them to railway stations is a joint effort between that ministry and the Ministry of Railways. The logic is straightforward. Stations see enormous daily footfall, and for many travellers from smaller towns and rural areas, a railway station is one of the few public facilities they pass through regularly.
🚆 Quick Information
| Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) |
| Run by | Department of Pharmaceuticals with Ministry of Railways |
| At railway stations | Over 100 outlets and growing |
| Products available | Around 2,000 medicines and surgical items |
| Saving | 50 to 90 per cent below branded equivalents |
| Located at | Circulating areas and station concourses |
| Official website | janaushadhi.gov.in |
How Much You Actually Save
This is the part that surprises people. Generic medicines under the scheme cost 50 to 90 per cent less than their branded equivalents, because the price reflects manufacturing and distribution cost rather than brand marketing.
The practical effect is that a strip of tablets costing a few hundred rupees at a regular chemist may cost a few tens of rupees at a Jan Aushadhi Kendra. For someone travelling for treatment, or managing a long-term condition on a modest income, that difference is substantial.
Check the price before you travel. You can look up any medicine on the official PMBJP website at janaushadhi.gov.in, under the Product Portfolio section, where the Product and MRP List gives the price of every item in the range. Useful if you take regular medication and want to compare before your journey.
What You Can Buy
The range covers around 2,000 medicines and surgical items, spanning most common therapeutic categories.
- Common medicines for pain, fever, acidity, allergy and infection.
- Long-term medication for conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure and cardiac care.
- Surgical and consumable items, including dressings and basic supplies.
- Nutraceuticals and supplements in the range.
As with any pharmacy, prescription medicines require a valid prescription. Over-the-counter items can be bought directly.
Are Generic Medicines as Good?
This is the question most people have, and it is worth answering plainly.
A generic medicine contains the same active ingredient, in the same strength and dosage form, as its branded counterpart. Medicines supplied under the scheme are procured from manufacturers holding the required quality certifications and are tested before distribution. The difference in price comes from the absence of brand marketing costs, not from a difference in the drug itself.
That said, please check with your doctor or the pharmacist. If you are on medication for a chronic condition, or if your prescription specifies a particular formulation, confirm that the generic equivalent is suitable before switching. The pharmacist at the Kendra can help you match your prescription to the equivalent product.
Where to Find Them at a Station
Kendras are set up in the circulating area or the concourse, meaning the open area near the station entrance or the main passenger hall, rather than on individual platforms. That placement is deliberate, since it makes them accessible to people arriving, departing, or simply visiting the station.
If you cannot find one, ask at the enquiry counter. Not every station has a Kendra yet, and outlets continue to be added.
How the Scheme Grew
Railways began with a pilot covering a limited number of stations, with a policy framework allowing these outlets in station premises. The rollout expanded steadily from there, including a batch of eighteen outlets inaugurated together across several states in late 2024.
By mid-2025 the count had passed 100 stations, and it continues to rise as new outlets are commissioned. The wider PMBJP network across the country runs into many thousands of outlets beyond railway premises.
If Your Station Does Not Have One
Several alternatives exist:
- Multi-purpose stalls at many stations are permitted to stock over-the-counter medicines, so basic items may be available even without a Kendra.
- Jan Aushadhi Kendras outside the station are widespread across the country. The official website has a locator to find your nearest outlet.
- Medical assistance during the journey can be requested by calling 139, and railway staff can arrange a doctor at an upcoming station in an emergency. See our guide on medical facilities on Indian Railways.
Frequently Asked Questions
✅ What is a Jan Aushadhi Kendra at a railway station?
A government-backed pharmacy selling quality generic medicines at 50 to 90 per cent below branded prices, run under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana in partnership with the Ministry of Railways.
✅ How many railway stations have one?
More than 100 stations across the country, with new outlets being added as the scheme expands.
✅ How much cheaper are the medicines?
Generally 50 to 90 per cent less than equivalent branded medicines, since the price excludes brand marketing costs.
✅ Do I need a prescription?
Yes for prescription medicines, exactly as at any pharmacy. Over-the-counter items can be bought without one.
✅ Are generic medicines safe?
They contain the same active ingredient in the same strength as branded equivalents and are procured from certified manufacturers. If you take medication for a chronic condition, confirm suitability with your doctor or the pharmacist before switching.
✅ How do I check the price of a medicine in advance?
Visit janaushadhi.gov.in, open the Product Portfolio section and select the Product and MRP List, where you can search for any item in the range.
✅ Where in the station are they located?
In the circulating area or concourse, near the entrance or main passenger hall, rather than on individual platforms. Ask at the enquiry counter if you cannot find one.
Quick Summary
| What it is | Government pharmacy selling generic medicines |
| Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana |
| Saving | 50 to 90 per cent below branded prices |
| Range | Around 2,000 medicines and surgical items |
| At stations | Over 100 outlets, expanding |
| Location | Circulating area or concourse |
| Prescription | Required for prescription medicines |
| Price check | janaushadhi.gov.in |
If you take regular medication and travel by train, it is worth knowing whether your station has a Jan Aushadhi Kendra, since the saving on a month’s supply can be considerable. For related reading, see our guides on medical facilities on trains, senior citizen facilities, and railway helpline numbers.
Have you used a Jan Aushadhi Kendra at a station? Tell us which station in the comments, since readers often ask where to find them.