Move Aims to Ensure Transparency and Affordable Healthcare
New Delhi, March 2025 – In a major policy shift, the Delhi government has directed all its hospitals and health centers to procure medicines exclusively from Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJK), permitting local purchases only in emergencies. Officials say this step aims to bring transparency to medicine procurement while ensuring affordable and quality medicines for patients.
Expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras
To facilitate this transition, the Delhi government has approved the establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in six hospitals, with plans to expand the initiative across all government hospitals in the near future.
Policy Implementation and Government Stand
During a review meeting on March 6, 2025, chaired by Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh, officials assessed the state of healthcare services in government hospitals. Singh instructed medical superintendents and health officials to streamline the medicine procurement process via Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Additionally, he emphasized the need for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an authorised channel partner under the Department of Pharmaceuticals to ensure an uninterrupted supply of medicines.
Ensuring Affordable and Quality Medicines
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening public healthcare, Singh stated:
“We are committed to improving healthcare services in Delhi. This step will bring transparency to medicine procurement while ensuring quality medicines at affordable rates for patients.”
Hospitals have been directed to compile a list of essential medicines and initiate procurement from Jan Aushadhi Kendras immediately.
Impact on Healthcare Services
This initiative is expected to benefit not just hospital patients but also local residents by providing essential medicines at lower prices. The Delhi government reiterated that it will not compromise on patient welfare and is working toward providing healthcare services comparable to private hospitals.
