OBJECTIVES: In 2008, Government of India, through Department of Pharmaceuticals, started a new initiative “Jan Aushadhi” (A hindi word literally translated as “Medicine for People”). This program envisaged making unbranded quality medicines available to poor people in the country at a reasonable and affordable price through retail outlets set up with the help of the Government. The Objectives of “Jan Aushadhi” campaign is to make available unbranded quality medicines to poor through public private partnership. As of now 2013, there were 112 “Jan Aushadhi” stores operating in 11 states across India. Objective of this study was to understand the price difference in essential medicines marketed by pharmaceutical companies and prices of same essential medicines available through “Jan Aushadhi” Stores in India. METHODS: A list of three anti-diabetic molecules Glibenclamide, Metformin and Glimepiride in different strengths listed in “Jan Aushadhi” price list was selected and compared with the brands manufactured by pharmaceutical companies and available in the market. The absolute price difference was calculated. RESULTS: The prices of medicines available from “Jan Aushadhi” stores for Glibenclamide 2.5 mg and 5 mg tablets, Metformin 500 mg and 1000 mg tablets, Glimepiride 1 mg and 2 mg tablets were compared with brands available in market. The price difference for Glibenclamide 2.5 mg ranged from INR 0.57 to 4.02 for a pack of 10 tablets, for Glibenclamide 5 mg ranged from INR 0.92 to 6.47. For Metformin 500 mg the price difference ranged from INR 0.42 to 18.47 and for Metformin 1000 mg price difference was INR 7.23 to 28.14 respectively. For Glimepride 1 mg price difference ranged from INR 2.13 to 55. 28 and Glimepride 2 mg the difference was INR 2.49 to 105.59 CONCLUSIONS: Substantial price differences exist between a few brands available in Market and medicines available from “Jan Aushadhi” Stores.