Lok Sabha Question No. 2352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-13
Subject: Supply of Life Saving Medicines
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai, Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge, Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2352 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 th FEBRUARY, 2026

## SUPPLY OF LIFE SAVING MEDICINES

†2352. SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI: SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE: SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM: DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPAKALGE:

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

- (a) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure an uninterrupted supply chain of life saving and essential medicines to Government hospitals and rural health facilities across various States of the country;
- (b) whether the Government is considering any proposal to revise the existing maximum price limits for life saving medicines, including those listed in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and if so, the details thereof, State-wise, including Maharashtra; and
- (c) the current status of the expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras (generic medicine stores) in rural areas of Maharashtra and the measures that are being taken to ensure the availability of medicines at the primary healthcare level?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (c): 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.

National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under Department of Pharmaceuticals fixes the ceiling prices of scheduled drugs as listed in Schedule-I of DPCO, 2013 which is based on the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) published by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. No manufacturer (whether generic or branded) of scheduled medicines can sell such drug above the ceiling price (plus applicable Goods and Service Tax) fixed by the NPPA whether in urban or rural area. As per the provisions of DPCO, 2013, ceiling prices of scheduled formulations are revised every year as per annual Wholesale Price Index (WPI) (all commodities) for preceding calendar year on or before 1st April of every year, which is notified by the Government on the 1st day of April every year. In case of non-scheduled formulation, manufacturers are required not to increase MRP by more than 10% of the MRP during preceding 12 months.

Quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in collaboration with the State Governments. As on 31.12.2025, 713 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAK) have been opened in the State of Maharashtra under PMBJP.

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