New Delhi: Young pharmacists are playing a key role in delivering affordable medicines through Janaushadhi Kendras across major public hospitals.
Inside the busy premises of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra serves hundreds of patients each day. The initiative is helping transform prescriptions into accessible treatment for thousands of families.
Among those leading the effort is Sangeeta, a senior pharmacist who joined the Kendra when it opened in October 2024.
She said many patients arrive worried about the cost of medicines prescribed by doctors.
However, their anxiety often fades when they discover the affordable prices available at Janaushadhi Kendras.
“When patients learn how low the prices are, their tension reduces immediately. They leave with relief and a smile,” she said.
The Kendra serves nearly 150 to 200 customers every day. Mornings are the busiest, with long queues forming early.
Young pharmacists handle prescription checks, billing, inventory management and patient guidance to ensure smooth service.
Janaushadhi Kendras driven by youth pharmacists
A similar commitment is seen in Varun Agarwal, a young pharmacist who recently completed his pharmacy studies.
During his academic years, he learned about the Janaushadhi Kendras initiative and decided to contribute to the mission.
Varun said awareness about generic medicines has grown significantly in recent years.
“Senior citizens especially look at us with hope. We try to explain the medicines clearly and help them understand affordable options,” he said.
At the Janaushadhi Kendra in Indira Gandhi Hospital (IGH), pharmacist and manager Piyush also witnesses the growing trust in affordable healthcare.
He said around 150 to 200 people visit the centre daily.
“Every person who enters carries a concern. When they leave with relief, it makes this work meaningful,” he said.
Another young pharmacist, Himanshu Kumar, works at the same Kendra with a team of four colleagues. Two staff members handle billing while two manage medicine distribution.
Across Delhi, nearly 600 Janaushadhi Kendras operate under the programme.
Officials estimate that about 70 percent of employees working in these centres are young professionals.
These Kendras are emerging as spaces where affordability meets dignity, offering patients access to essential medicines without financial stress.
For many young pharmacists, working at Janaushadhi Kendras is not just a job but an opportunity to serve people while building meaningful careers in healthcare.
