The procurement process for the drugs is expected to be completed by the end of March, paving the way for regular supplies. | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
In a bid to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential medicines in government health facilities, the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) has initiated priority procurement of 496 medicines as per the annual bullet point for 2025-2026, amid reports of shortages.
According to the Ministry of Health, out of the 496 drugs, Award Notices have been issued for 99, while tenders for the remaining 397 drugs have been called and are currently being evaluated. The procurement process for these drugs is expected to be completed by the end of March, paving the way for regular supplies.
Basic medicines
The medicines to be delivered during February and March include a large number of essential medicines which are essential for patient care. These include about 25 antibiotics, commonly used analgesics such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, and intravenous fluids that form the backbone of treatment in government hospitals, a health ministry release said.
To bridge supply gaps during the procurement process and to ensure continuity of care – especially for emergency and life-saving drugs – KSMSCL proposed an interim arrangement through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). A proposal has been submitted to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Bureau of India (PMBI) to supply generic drugs to government hospitals through authorized distributors, a report said.
₹ 50 crore for local purchases
To support this interim mechanism and prevent disruption, it has been decided to allocate ₹50 crore from the existing funds of KSMSCL to health facilities across the state. This amount will allow hospitals to purchase drugs during the transition period until regular supplies are restored.
In addition, government health institutions have been permitted to make direct purchases through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) whenever necessary as a supplementary measure to address urgent requirements.
Officials said steps have been taken to speed up procurement through policy relaxation. Around 49 medicines have already been procured and supplied during 2025 through the introduction of facilitative measures such as the 4G exemption, which helps to alleviate shortages in selected categories.
Published – 06 Feb 2026 21:11 IST