Tamil Nadu had 1,631 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras as of 30 June 2026, out of 20,149 across India, according to figures shared by Union Minister J.P. Nadda (Indian Pharma Post). These government-backed pharmacies sell generic medicines that the scheme says cost 50% to 80% less than branded versions of the same drug.
For a Chennai household buying monthly tablets for blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol, that gap adds up. Here is how to find a kendra near you, what you can buy there and how to check what you are getting.
Finding a kendra in Chennai
The easiest route is the Jan Aushadhi Sugam mobile app, launched in August 2019. According to a PIB backgrounder, it shows nearby kendras on Google Maps, lets you search for a generic medicine and compares its price with branded options. Kendras are usually small shopfronts with the scheme’s blue-and-green signboard. In Chennai you will find them near government hospitals, in residential markets and inside some railway stations.
If you cannot find a medicine or have a complaint, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), which runs the scheme, lists a toll-free helpline, 1800-180-8080, and a complaints email on its website.
What they stock
The product basket covers 2,110 medicines and 315 surgical items, consumables and devices across therapeutic groups such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, infections, allergies and digestive disorders. The scheme also sells Suvidha sanitary napkins at ₹1 a pad, launched in August 2019.
Not every kendra stocks every item. Common chronic-disease medicines are usually available, but a less common drug or strength may need to be ordered. Ask the pharmacist to note your regular medicines; many will keep them aside for monthly refills. One of the scheme’s five national warehouses is in Chennai, according to News On AIR, which helps keep stock moving in the region.
How much you save
The government’s headline claim is that medicines cost 50% to 80% less than branded equivalents in the open market. It says citizens saved nearly ₹40,000 crore through the scheme over eleven years. Your own saving depends on the drug. The Sugam app’s price comparison is the quickest way to check before you switch.
| Scheme figure | Value | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Kendras in India | 20,149 | 30 June 2026 |
| Kendras in Tamil Nadu | 1,631 | 30 June 2026 |
| Medicines in basket | 2,110 | 2026 |
| Surgical and device items | 315 | 2026 |
| Target kendras nationally | 25,000 | by March 2027 |
Quality checks: what the scheme does and what you can do
PMBI says it buys only from manufacturers certified to WHO Good Manufacturing Practice standards, and that each batch is tested at laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) before it goes out to kendras. Generic does not mean a different drug: it is the same active ingredient sold under its chemical name rather than a brand.
At the counter, a few simple habits help:
- Compare the salt name and strength on the strip with your prescription, for example metformin 500 mg, not just the brand your doctor wrote.
- Check the batch number, manufacturing date and expiry date on every strip, and look for intact packaging.
- Ask for a bill. It makes complaints and refills easier.
- If a tablet looks different from your last supply, ask the pharmacist why before taking it.
Switching from a brand to a generic of the same salt and strength is usually simple, but talk to your doctor first if you take medicines where small changes matter, such as those for epilepsy, thyroid or blood thinning. This article is not medical advice.
Running a kendra
Pharmacists, NGOs and other entrepreneurs can apply to open a kendra through PMBI. Operators receive an incentive of up to ₹20,000 a month, calculated at 20% of monthly purchases. A one-time ₹2 lakh grant is available to women, ex-servicemen, persons with disabilities and SC/ST entrepreneurs, among others.
Quick answers
How do I find the nearest Jan Aushadhi store in Chennai?
Use the Jan Aushadhi Sugam app’s locator, or call PMBI’s toll-free line, 1800-180-8080.
Are Jan Aushadhi medicines as good as branded ones?
The scheme sources from WHO-GMP certified makers and tests each batch at NABL-accredited labs. The active ingredient is the same as in the brand.
Do I need a prescription?
Prescription medicines need one, as at any pharmacy. Ask your doctor to write the generic name.
How many kendras are in Tamil Nadu?
1,631 as of 30 June 2026.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
