Lok Sabha Question No. 2089 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Shortage of Essential Medicines
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Raja Ram Singh

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2089 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH DECEMBER, 2025

## SHORTAGE OF ESSENTIALMEDICINES

## 2089. SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any shortages of essential medicines that have been reported in the country during the last five years and if so, the details thereof, year-wise and State/UT-wise along with the reasons therefor;
- (b) the list of medicines affected duration of shortages and the details of health facilities impacted during the said period;
- (c) whether any inquiries/audits/review committees have been constituted to monitor essential drug availability, investigate causes of shortages and recommend corrective action and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to strengthen procurement and the formation of a committee, ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines across the country?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a) to (d): Under the National Health Mission (NHM), financial support is provided to the States/UTs for strengthening their healthcare delivery system including support for provision of free essential medicines in public health facilities based on the requirements posed by States/UTs in their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) within their overall resource envelope. Under Free Drugs Service Initiative, Ministry has recommended facility wise Essential Drugs List (EDL) to be made available at the public healthcare facilities in the country to ensure widespread access to essential medicines.

The Ministry has adopted a multi-layered monitoring approach to identify and address gaps in procurement, supply chain, and stock management. Many States have adopted digital platforms like Drugs and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS) to track procurement, consumption, and replenishment of the drugs. Field visits by senior officials of Union Government as well as State Government also monitor the availability and utilisation of these services.

Further, as informed by Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under DoP monitors availability of drugs in the country and takes remedial measures whenever issue of non-availability of any medicine is brought to its notice. Complaints regarding non-availability of a medicine in the market is received by NPPA through various sources including State Drugs Controllers, Pharma Jan Samadhan Portal, NPPA's Helpline and public grievance portals like Prime Minister's Office Public Grievances/ Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) and from individuals. NPPA takes immediate measures in coordination with the State Authorities and the manufacturer of the drugs concerned to ensure availability of the said drug in the said region/ state.

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