PIB Backgrounder press release · 6 March 2026 · pibtracker filter

From AIIMs to IGH, Young Pharmacists Are Turning Prescriptions into Possibilities

PRID2235804 MinistryPIB Backgrounder Released Reading12 min

Youth-Led Janaushadhi Kendras Powering Compassionate Healthcare Posted On: 06 MAR 2026 10:52AM by PIB Delhi Inside the busy premises of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), one can feel a quiet but strong undercurrent of change at the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJP). Amid long hospital corridors and anxious footsteps, young pharmacists stand as pillars of reassurance , turning prescriptions into relief and costs into comfort . Sangeeta, a young Senior Pharmacist , has been part of the Janaushadhi mission since the Kendra opened in October 2024 . She joined Janaushadhi Kendra with a desire to serve the people. Each morning, she steps into the Kendra with renewed dedication, ready to give her best. She shares a moving observation from her daily routine: &ldquo;When patients come to the Kendra with a doctor’s prescription in hand, they often look tired and worried. As they hand over the slip, a silent fear flickers in their eyes that the cost of the medicines might burden their pockets. But the moment they learn about the affordable prices, it feels as though half their tension melts away. Their eyes light up, and they leave with a smile. That smile gives us hope.&rdquo; The Kendra serves nearly 150&ndash;200 customers every day. Mornings are especially crowded, with long queues forming early. Alongside Sangeeta, staff members, mostly young, work tirelessly to ensure smooth service, checking prescriptions, managing inventory, billing for medicines, and patiently guiding patients. The routine is fast, but the purpose is steady: affordable healthcare for all. A similar spirit of service is visible in Varun Agarwal, a young pharmacist who recently completed his pharmacy studies. During his academic years, he learned about the Janaushadhi initiative and made a firm decision to contribute to this mission. Today, he proudly serves at the Kendra. &ldquo;Compared to earlier times, people are now much more aware of medicines and generic alternatives,&rdquo; Varun says. &ldquo;Senior citizens, especially, look at us with hope. We try our best to assist them and explain everything clearly. Their trust motivates us every day.&rdquo; Piyush , the pharmacist and manager at the Janaushadhi Kendra in Indira Gandhi Hospital, considers it a privilege to be part of this mission. Every day, the Kendra serves around 150&ndash;200 customers , reflecting the growing trust people place in affordable healthcare. He says, "Being part of Janaushadhi is not just about dispensing medicines. Every person who walks in carries a concern, and every person who walks out carries relief. That transformation is what makes this work truly meaningful." At the Janaushadhi Kendra in Indira Gandhi Hospital (IGH) , Himanshu Kumar, another young pharmacist, shares a similar story of commitment. Every day, he walks to the Kendra with a simple but powerful motivation: to help and serve people. Along with him, four other young team members manage operations: two handle billing, and two oversee distribution. In Delhi, out of around 600 Janaushadhi Kendras , approximately 70% of employees are youngsters, reflecting the strong role of youth in delivering these services. They are spaces where anxiety turns into assurance , where affordability restores dignity, and where young professionals transform their careers into meaningful service . In the brightened eyes of a relieved patient and the confident stride of a young pharmacist, the true spirit of Janaushadhi comes alive, care that heals with improved health and hope. References Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers Click here to see pdf *** PIB Research (Release ID: 2235804) Visitor Counter : 733 Read this release in: Gujarati , Urdu , Marathi , हिन्दी , Bengali , Bengali-TR , Tamil PIB Backgrounder From AIIMs to IGH, Young Pharmacists Are Turning Prescriptions into Possibilities Youth-Led Janaushadhi Kendras Powering Compassionate Healthcare Posted On: 06 MAR 2026 10:52AM by PIB Delhi Inside the busy premises of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), one can feel a quiet but strong undercurrent of change at the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJP). Amid long hospital corridors and anxious footsteps, young pharmacists stand as pillars of reassurance , turning prescriptions into relief and costs into comfort . Sangeeta, a young Senior Pharmacist , has been part of the Janaushadhi mission since the Kendra opened in October 2024 . She joined Janaushadhi Kendra with a desire to serve the people. Each morning, she steps into the Kendra with renewed dedication, ready to give her best. She shares a moving observation from her daily routine: &ldquo;When patients come to the Kendra with a doctor’s prescription in hand, they often look tired and worried. As they hand over the slip, a silent fear flickers in their eyes that the cost of the medicines might burden their pockets. But the moment they learn about the affordable prices, it feels as though half their tension melts away. Their eyes light up, and they leave with a smile. That smile gives us hope.&rdquo; The Kendra serves nearly 150&ndash;200 customers every day. Mornings are especially crowded, with long queues forming early. Alongside Sangeeta, staff members, mostly young, work tirelessly to ensure smooth service, checking prescriptions, managing inventory, billing for medicines, and patiently guiding patients. The routine is fast, but the purpose is steady: affordable healthcare for all. A similar spirit of service is visible in Varun Agarwal, a young pharmacist who recently completed his pharmacy studies. During his academic years, he learned about the Janaushadhi initiative and made a firm decision to contribute to this mission. Today, he proudly serves at the Kendra. &ldquo;Compared to earlier times, people are now much more aware of medicines and generic alternatives,&rdquo; Varun says. &ldquo;Senior citizens, especially, look at us with hope. We try our best to assist them and explain everything clearly. Their trust motivates us every day.&rdquo; Piyush , the pharmacist and manager at the Janaushadhi Kendra in Indira Gandhi Hospital, considers it a privilege to be part of this mission. Every day, the Kendra serves around 150&ndash;200 customers , reflecting the growing trust people place in affordable healthcare. He says, "Being part of Janaushadhi is not just about dispensing medicines. Every person who walks in carries a concern, and every person who walks out carries relief. That transformation is what makes this work truly meaningful." At the Janaushadhi Kendra in Indira Gandhi Hospital (IGH) , Himanshu Kumar, another young pharmacist, shares a similar story of commitment. Every day, he walks to the Kendra with a simple but powerful motivation: to help and serve people. Along with him, four other young team members manage operations: two handle billing, and two oversee distribution. In Delhi, out of around 600 Janaushadhi Kendras , approximately 70% of employees are youngsters, reflecting the strong role of youth in delivering these services. They are spaces where anxiety turns into assurance , where affordability restores dignity, and where young professionals transform their careers into meaningful service . In the brightened eyes of a relieved patient and the confident stride of a young pharmacist, the true spirit of Janaushadhi comes alive, care that heals with improved health and hope. References Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers Click here to see pdf *** PIB Research (Release ID: 2235804) Youth-Led Janaushadhi Kendras Powering Compassionate Healthcare<br/>" /> <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">Inside the busy premises of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), one can feel a quiet but strong undercurrent of change at the <strong>Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra</strong> (PMBJP). Amid long hospital corridors and anxious footsteps, <strong>young pharmacists stand as pillars of reassurance</strong>, turning <strong>prescriptions into relief</strong> and <strong>costs into comfort</strong>.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px"><img alt="A person in a white coat in a pharmacyDescription automatically generated" id="image5.jpg" src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image003SFGE.jpg" /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="A group of people in a roomDescription automatically generated" id="image10.jpg" src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image004G26P.jpg" /> </span></span></p> <p style="text-align:center"><img alt="" src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image005J6MZ.png" /></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">Sangeeta, a <strong>young Senior Pharmacist</strong>, has been part of the Janaushadhi mission since the Kendra opened in <strong>October 2024</strong>. She joined Janaushadhi Kendra with a desire to serve the people. Each morning, she steps into the Kendra with renewed dedication, ready to give her best.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">She shares a moving observation from her daily routine:<br /> <em>&ldquo;When patients come to the Kendra with a doctor’s prescription in hand, they often look tired and worried. As they hand over the slip, a silent fear flickers in their eyes that the cost of the medicines might burden their pockets. But the moment they learn about the affordable prices, it feels as though half their tension melts away. Their eyes light up, and they leave with a smile. That smile gives us hope.&rdquo;</em></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px"><img alt="A group of people working at a pharmacyDescription automatically generated" id="image3.jpg" src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image006LWQ6.jpg" /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="A group of people working at a deskDescription automatically generated" id="image4.jpg" src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image007K4NZ.jpg" /> </span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">The Kendra serves nearly <strong>150&ndash;200 customers</strong> every day. Mornings are especially crowded, with long queues forming early. <strong>Alongside Sangeeta, staff members, mostly young, </strong>work tirelessly to ensure smooth service, checking prescriptions, managing inventory, billing for medicines, and patiently guiding patients. The routine is fast, but the purpose is steady: affordable healthcare for all.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">&nbsp;<img alt="A person looking at a paperDescription automatically generated" id="image11.jpg" src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image0086DEO.jpg" /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="A person in a pharmacyDescription automatically generated" id="image8.jpg" src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image0092YON.jpg" /> </span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">A similar spirit of service is visible in Varun Agarwal, a young pharmacist who recently completed his pharmacy studies. During his academic years, he learned about the Janaushadhi initiative and made a firm decision to contribute to this mission. Today, he proudly serves at the Kendra. <em>&ldquo;Compared to earlier times, people are now much more aware of medicines and generic alternatives,&rdquo; </em>Varun says.<em> &ldquo;Senior citizens, especially, look at us with hope. We try our best to assist them and explain everything clearly. Their trust motivates us every day.&rdquo;</em></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px"><img id="Picture_x0020_1" src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image010ZRUO.png" /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img alt="A person at a counterDescription automatically generated" id="image9.jpg" src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image0116YFE.jpg" /> </span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>Piyush</strong>, the pharmacist and manager at the Janaushadhi Kendra in Indira Gandhi Hospital, considers it a privilege to be part of this mission. Every day, the Kendra serves around <strong>150&ndash;200 customers</strong>, reflecting the growing trust people place in affordable healthcare. He says, <em>"Being part of Janaushadhi is not just about dispensing medicines. Every person who walks in carries a concern, and every person who walks out carries relief. That transformation is what makes this work truly meaningful."</em></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">&nbsp;<img alt="A person in a white coatDescription automatically generated" id="image2.png" src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image012E0TV.png" /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="A group of people standing in front of a windowDescription automatically generated" id="image6.jpg" src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image0130FWZ.jpg" /> </span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">At the Janaushadhi Kendra in <strong>Indira Gandhi Hospital (IGH)</strong>, Himanshu Kumar, another young pharmacist, shares a similar story of commitment. Every day, he walks to the Kendra with a simple but powerful motivation: to help and serve people. Along with him, four other young team members manage operations: two handle billing, and two oversee distribution. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">In Delhi, <strong>out of around 600 Janaushadhi Kendras</strong>, approximately <strong>70% of employees</strong> are youngsters, reflecting the strong role of youth in delivering these services. They are spaces where <strong>anxiety turns into assurance</strong>, where affordability restores dignity, and where <strong>young professionals transform their careers into meaningful service</strong>. In the brightened eyes of a relieved patient and the confident stride of a young pharmacist, the true spirit of Janaushadhi comes alive, care that heals with improved health and hope.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>References</strong></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><a href="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2026/mar/doc202636812801.pdf" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">Click here to see pdf&nbsp;</span></span></strong></a></p> <p style="text-align:center"><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">***</span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>PIB Research</strong></span></span></p> " /> var mPlayer = document.getElementById("background_music"); var mPlayAction = document.getElementById("playbutton"); var isPlaying = false; function playAudio() { mPlayer.play(); isPlaying = true; document.getElementById('stopA').style.display = "block"; document.getElementById('playA').style.display = "none"; } function pauseAudio() { mPlayer.pause(); isPlaying = false; document.getElementById('playA').style.display = "block"; document.getElementById('stopA').style.display = "none"; } //function HandleAudio() { // if (isPlaying == true) { // //Playing already Pause it // pauseAudio(); // } else { // //Play the music // playAudio(); // } //} var synth = window.speechSynthesis; function CleanHtml(html) { html = html.replace(/ /gi, ''); return html; } function stripHtml(html) { let tmp = document.createElement("DIV"); tmp.innerHTML = CleanHtml(html); return tmp.textContent || tmp.innerText || ""; } $(document).ready(function () { //for responsive tables $("table").each(function () { if (!$(this).closest(".table-responsive").length) { $(this).wrap(" "); } }); var width = $(window).width(); if (width $(document).ready(function () { var width = $(window).width(); if (width @media print { .sticky-social, .sticky-social_mb, .pull-right, #printPDF { display: none !important; } } .f_vl { padding-right: 30px; font-size: 17px; cursor: pointer; } .log_oo { // width: 20%; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; } .log_oo img { width: 150px; /*width: 100%; height: auto;*/ } .sticky-social_mb { position: fixed; bottom: 0px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; width: 100%; } .social_mb { list-style: none; display: flex; width: 100%; margin-bottom: -8px; } .social_mb a { padding: 8px 0px; font-size: 30px; transition: all 0.8s ease-in-out; width: 20% !important; text-align: center; } .section1 { position: relative; padding: 10px 0px; width: 100%; } .sticky-social { position: fixed; top: 20px; left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; } .social { list-style: none; } .social a li { padding: 8px 12px; font-size: 25px; transition: all 0.8s ease-in-out; } .social a li:hover { margin-right: -30px; box-shadow: 2px 5px 10px grey; } .social a li:hover .fa { margin-left: 20px; } .fb_b { /* background-color: rgb(59, 89, 152);*/ background-color: rgba(65,103,178,255); } .twitter_r { /* background-color: rgb(29, 161, 242);*/ background-color: #000000; } .whatsapp_r { /* background-color: rgb(77, 194, 71);*/ background-color: rgba(13,191,67,255); } .fa-envelope_r { /* background-color: rgb(219, 68, 55);*/ background-color: #e2123d; } .fa-linkedin_r { background-color: rgb(0, 119, 181); } @media only screen and (max-device-width: 767px) { p span img { max-width: 90% !important; height: auto !important; } p img { max-width: 90% !important; height: auto !important; } h2 { font-size: 20px !important; font-weight: 600 !important; } h3 { font-size: 18px !important; font-weight: 600 !important; } } /* === Film Roll Badge Styling(IFFI2025 countdown) === */ .film-roll-badge { position: absolute; top:82%; right: 20px; width: 230px; height: 70px; background: repeating-linear-gradient( to right, #9a2375 0px, #9a2375 18px, #6e2b8b 18px, #6e2b8b 36px ); border-top: 8px solid #9a2375; border-bottom: 8px solid #9a2375; border-radius: 8px; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4); animation: moveFilm 8s linear infinite; z-index: 10; } /* film sprocket holes */ .film-roll-badge::before, .film-roll-badge::after { content: ""; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 10px; background: repeating-linear-gradient( to right, #9a2375 0px, #9a2375 10px, #fff 10px, #fff 20px ); left: 0; z-index: 2; } .film-roll-badge::before { top: -4px; } .film-roll-badge::after { bottom: -4px; } .film-roll-inner { position: relative; height: 100%; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; animation: flicker 2s infinite ease-in-out; } .countdown-text { font-size: 1.3rem; font-weight: 700; color: #fff; text-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4), 0 0 10px #000; white-space: nowrap; } /* === Animations === */ @keyframes moveFilm { 0% { background-position: 0 0; } 100% { background-position: 120px 0; } } @keyframes flicker { 0%, 100% { opacity: 1; } 50% { opacity: 0.9; } 25% { opacity: 0.95; } 75% { opacity: 0.85; } } /* === Responsive Adjustments === */ @media (max-width: 1500px) { .film-roll-badge { top: 68%; right: 18px; /* width: 220px; */ height: 65px; font-size: 0.85rem; } .press-section { margin-top: 35px; } } @media (max-width: 992px) { .film-roll-badge { top: 52%; right: 10px; width: 200px; height: 60px; } } @media (max-width: 768px) { .film-roll-badge { top: 56%; right: 10px; width: 124px; height: 55px; } .countdown-text { font-size: 0.9rem; } } @media (max-width: 576px) { .film-roll-badge { top: 59%; right: 5px; /* width: 160px; */ height: 50px; } .countdown-text { font-size: 0.85rem; } } const festivalStart = new Date("2025-11-20T00:00:00").getTime(); const festivalEnd = new Date("2025-11-28T23:59:59").getTime(); const countdownElement = document.getElementById("countdown"); const interval = setInterval(() => { const now = new Date().getTime(); // BEFORE FESTIVAL — show days + hours left if (now = festivalStart && now el.style.width = "350px"); clearInterval(interval); } }, 1000); //

For UPSC

Note PMBJP Kendra at AIIMS started October 2024, serving 150–200 customers daily; focus is affordable generic medicines under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme, not the individual story.