In a major cooperative-led healthcare push, the Bihar Cooperation Department has rolled out Jan Aushadhi Kendras within PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) to improve access to affordable medicines in rural areas.
As per a social media post by the department, the initiative, supported by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, aims to make low-cost generic medicines widely available across villages. Each centre is expected to offer over 2,100 medicines and more than 300 surgical items.
The initiative is already gaining traction, with 56 PACS applying for the scheme, 30 receiving licenses, and 29 centres currently operational.
The move highlights the growing role of cooperatives in delivering essential services at the grassroots level. By leveraging the PACS network, the state aims to strengthen last-mile healthcare access, reduce medical expenses for rural households, and improve overall public health outcomes.