From AIIMs to IGH, Young Pharmacists Are Turning Prescriptions into Possibilities
From AIIMs to IGH, Young Pharmacists Are Turning Prescriptions into Possibilities
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:
“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.”
The Kendra serves nearly 150–200 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. “Compared to earlier times, people are now much more aware of medicines and generic alternatives,” Varun says. “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.”
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 150–200 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