Generic Medicine Franchise in India: Generic PCD Franchise vs Generic Medical Store vs Jan Aushadhi – Licence, Margin and How to Start
By the Trumac Healthcare team, Panchkula · PCD pharma franchise company since 2007 · Updated 14 November 2026 · About us · WhatsApp +91 90416 77932
हिंदी में: जेनेरिक मेडिसिन फ्रेंचाइज़ी में आप कम कीमत वाली जेनेरिक दवाएँ बेचते हैं – PCD फ्रेंचाइज़ी (होलसेल लाइसेंस, मोनोपॉली), केमिस्ट को सप्लाई, जेनेरिक मेडिकल स्टोर या जन औषधि केंद्र के रूप में।
Three kinds of generic medicines in India
| Kind | What it is | How it sells |
|---|---|---|
| Branded generics | A generic molecule sold under a company’s own brand name (most medicines in India) | Promoted to doctors; prescribed by brand – the PCD model |
| Trade generics | Generic medicines sold to chemists on trade terms, usually not promoted to doctors | Chemist chooses what to dispense; sales depend on chemists |
| Jan Aushadhi generics | Government-procured generics sold under the PMBJP scheme | Only through Jan Aushadhi Kendras |
4 ways to run a generic medicine franchise
| Model | Licence | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic PCD franchise | Wholesale drug licence (20B/21B) + GST | Branded generics with monopoly rights for your district; you promote to doctors | Doctor contacts, MRs, distributors |
| Generic trade distribution | Wholesale drug licence + GST | Supply trade generics to chemists in your area | Strong chemist network |
| Generic medical store (own or chain franchise) | Retail drug licence (20/21) + GST; registered pharmacist | Retail counter selling generics; chain franchises supply stock and branding on their own terms | Shop location + pharmacist |
| Jan Aushadhi Kendra | Retail drug licence + PMBJP approval; at least 120 sq ft | Government generic store; apply on janaushadhi.gov.in | Pharmacists, NGOs, entrepreneurs |
How to start a generic PCD franchise
- Get a wholesale drug licence (Forms 20B/21B) and GST – drug licence guide.
- List the doctors and chemists in your district and the therapy areas they need.
- Choose a company with a wide branded-generic range, WHO-GMP partner units and a written monopoly letter – 12-point checklist.
- Pick 20–30 products for the first order – sample first-order lists – and start doctor calls.
Margins: generics vs promoted brands
Trade margins are worked back from MRP: GST out, then the retailer and stockist margins – see PTR, PTS and MRP. Generic ranges often leave a wider gap between purchase rate and MRP than heavily promoted brands, but they sell only if a doctor prescribes them or a chemist recommends them. DPCO ceiling prices apply to scheduled molecules whether the product is branded or generic.
Trumac’s branded generic range
3000+ branded generic products in 15 divisions – general range, cardiac-diabetic, gynae, paediatric, derma and more – made at WHO-GMP certified partner units, with monopoly rights for your district and no franchise fee. Full list: PCD pharma products list.
Frequently asked questions
What is a generic medicine franchise?
It is a business that sells generic medicines – the same molecule, strength and dosage form as the original brand – under a franchise arrangement. In the wholesale trade it usually means a generic PCD franchise: you get a company’s branded generics with monopoly rights for your district. In retail it means running a generic medicine store under a chain’s brand.
How much does a generic medicine franchise cost?
A generic PCD franchise needs a wholesale drug licence, GST and a first stock order – with Trumac the first order starts from ₹25,000 and there is no franchise fee. A generic medical store needs a shop, a pharmacist, a retail licence and opening stock; chain franchises add their own fees, which vary by brand.
Which licence is needed for a generic medicine business?
The same drug licences as any medicine business: a wholesale licence (Forms 20B/21B) to supply chemists and hospitals, or a retail licence (Forms 20/21) with a registered pharmacist to sell to patients. GST registration is needed in both cases.
Is a generic medicine business profitable?
Generic medicines are priced lower for the patient, but the gap between purchase rate and MRP is often wider than on heavily promoted brands, so trade margins can be good. Profit depends on volume: prescriptions from doctors (PCD), or chemists who prefer your range (trade generics).
Generic franchise or PCD franchise – which is better?
They overlap: a PCD franchise of branded generics is the most common form of generic medicine franchise. Choose PCD if you can build doctor prescriptions; choose trade generics or a generic store if your strength is chemists or a retail location.
Is Jan Aushadhi a franchise?
No. A Jan Aushadhi Kendra is opened under the government’s PMBJP scheme after approval; it sells medicines supplied by PMBI. Apply on janaushadhi.gov.in, where the current eligibility, fees and incentives are published.
Where can I find a list of generic medicine franchise companies?
See our researched lists of top PCD pharma franchise companies in India and by state – they cover companies selling branded generics with monopoly rights.
Company lists: top PCD pharma franchise companies in India · top 50 PCD companies. Other options: pharma business ideas.
Start a generic PCD franchise in your district. WhatsApp +91 90416 77932 – 3000+ products, monopoly rights, no franchise fee, first order from ₹25,000. Trumac Healthcare, Panchkula – supplying 4000+ partners since 2007.