India’s Essential Drug Shortage: Centre Urges States to Act Fast

Now India's public healthcare system, a lifeline for millions of people in need of timely access to medicines and diagnostic services, is at the crux of a serious crisis.

Data of late feed uploaded to the central government also talks about availability going down in many states and Union Territories (UTs), well below 40%, leading to immediate alarms from the Centre.

This shortfall couldn’t have come at a worse time. India continues to combat both communicable diseases like tuberculosis and dengue, and rising non-communicable conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

States Struggling to Meet National Standards

According to a government document reviewed by Mint, several populous states, like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Bihar, are falling short. Many have failed to meet the basic requirements for stocking essential drugs and providing free diagnostic services under the Free Drugs and Diagnostics Service Initiative (FDSI).

A senior health ministry official pointed out discrepancies between state-reported data and figures uploaded to the national monitoring dashboard. While the ministry described this as a routine issue, it has emphasized the need for real-time data updates for accurate monitoring.

Free Medicine Program Underutilized Due to Low Awareness

The Centre raised another key issue that many citizens, particularly those in rural and remote areas, are not aware of their right to get free drugs as well as tests. Advances in this direction, the FDSI, which was launched in 2015 under the National Health Mission (NHM), aimed to mitigate the financial burden of out-of-pocket expenses for health facility delivery. Its potential impacts are, however, unlocked mostly by poor knowledge and a lack of enabling conditions.

Public health experts like Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan stress the importance of community engagement.

Visibility through posters, media outreach, and digital systems like DVDMS can make a difference, but only if backed by trained personnel and accurate reporting.

Where the Gaps Are Most Severe

As of April 2025, the following regions reported less than 40% availability of essential medicines:

• Maharashtra, Bihar, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, West Bengal, among others.

Similarly, diagnostic services are lacking in over 30 regions, including:

• Assam, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and UTs like Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, and DNH & DD.

What’s Expected from State Governments

The Health Ministry has now instructed states and UTs to:

• Update their essential drug and diagnostic lists as per the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS)

• Evaluate local healthcare needs and fill the supply chain gaps

• Promote awareness about the FDSI at all public health facilities through displays and media outreach

A pilot diagnostic module is also being tested under the Drugs and Vaccines Distribution Management System (DVDMS) to improve real-time tracking of stocks.

Health Equity is a Shared Responsibility

K. Srinath Reddy, previous president of PHFI, said it simply: “Availability of essential drugs and diagnostics at all public healthcare facilities is pivotal for meeting both major indicators of universal health coverage, which are financial protection and service coverage. 

Drugs and diagnostics contribute to a very high level of out of pocket expenditure, resulting in financial hardship to those who need healthcare, especially for chronic conditions. Health outcomes will be poor if healthcare providers are handicapped by absence of essential drugs and diagnostic aids. All efforts must be made by state and central governments to urgently fill these gaps."

Going from ambitious programs on universal health coverage (UHC) is not a solution for India.

It requires Awareness, responsibility, and the commitment to deliver on the promise of quality care for all.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)