New Delhi: The Union government on Tuesday informed the Rajya Sabha that no proposal has been received from the Odisha government for the introduction of mobile Jan Aushadhi vans aimed at improving access to affordable medicines in tribal and flood-prone areas.
Responding to a written question, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel said that Odisha currently has a substantial network of Jan Aushadhi Kendras operating across the State. As of December 31, 2025, a total of 803 Kendras have been opened, including 21 outlets functioning from government premises.
The minister, as reported by PIB India, explained that existing legal provisions do not allow for the sale of medicines through mobile units. Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the associated rules, retail licences for drug sales are issued only for fixed premises that meet mandatory infrastructure and storage norms, including cold-chain facilities required for certain life-saving medicines.
She added that since the current regulatory framework does not permit issuing retail drug licences to mobile units, Jan Aushadhi vans cannot be introduced unless the rules are amended.
