Bengaluru, August 7, 2025 — Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has defended the state government’s decision to discontinue Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) within government hospital premises. His explanation came in response to concerns raised by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda regarding access to affordable medicines through this central scheme.
According to Minister Rao, the move aims to ensure patients receive free and guaranteed essential medicines from public hospitals’ own supplies, eliminating the risk of being directed elsewhere for drug purchases. Doctors are now instructed to prescribe only drugs that are part of the Essential Medicines List (EML) and available in the hospital stock, supplied via the http://Karnataka State Medical Supplies CorporationKarnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation (KSMSCL). Funds are allocated for additional local procurement, if needed.
Rao clarified that this change applies only to JAKs located within hospital campuses. Over 1,417 Jan Aushadhi Kendras still operate elsewhere in Karnataka, with only 184 previously located inside hospitals, which have now been phased out. Citizens may continue accessing JAKs outside government premises.
Rao emphasized Karnataka’s commitment to improving public health infrastructure, ensuring rational drug usage, and strengthening medical supply chains—all to benefit underprivileged and marginalized patients.
While acknowledging the affordability of medicines through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)—which offers generics at 50–80% lower prices—Rao requested the Pharma and Medical Bureau of India (PMBI) to supply medicines to the Karnataka Health Department at the same rates offered to JAKs, bolstering the state’s free drug supply efforts.
Rao emphasized Karnataka’s commitment to improving public health infrastructure, ensuring rational drug usage, and strengthening medical supply chains—all to benefit underprivileged and marginalized patients.
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