Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has reaffirmed the state government’s decision to phase out Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) operating within government hospital premises, citing the move as a step towards ensuring that patients receive all essential medicines free of cost directly from hospital pharmacies.

The clarification follows a communication from Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda expressing concern over the closures. In his official response, Rao stated that Karnataka remains fully committed to the uninterrupted supply of essential medicines—listed under the Essential Medicines List (EML), across all government healthcare facilities.

According to the minister, the decision aims to eliminate instances where government doctors prescribe medicines available only at JAKs, which could lead to patients purchasing them despite hospitals having their own supply chains. He added that government hospitals receive medicines through the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) and are empowered to make local purchases in case of stock shortages.

“This policy ensures that all patients, particularly those from economically weaker sections, have universal and free access to prescribed medicines at government facilities,” Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao explained.

The minister stressed that the policy change does not affect the functioning of JAKs located outside government campuses. Karnataka currently has over 1,417 Jan Aushadhi Kendras, with only 184 situated within government hospital premises. The rest operate independently and remain accessible to the public.

Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao also acknowledged the cost-effectiveness of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), under which medicines are priced 50–80% lower than branded alternatives. He urged the Pharma and Medical Bureau of India (PMBI) to supply medicines to the Karnataka Health Department at the same concessional rates as JAKs, in order to strengthen the state’s free drug distribution system.

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For healthcare industry stakeholders, this development reflects an important intersection of public health policy, pharmaceutical supply chain management, and affordability initiatives. The move could influence future collaborations between state health departments and PMBJP, particularly in balancing accessibility with hospital-based medicine distribution models.

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