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Karnataka government has initiated several measures to address the shortage of essential medicines in public healthcare facilities. The state is actively implementing strategies to mitigate medicine shortages and efforts are on to overcome procurement challenges, ensuring transparency.
Some of these measures include implementation of E-AUSHADA Software to streamline the procurement process. Health institutions submit their annual medicine requirements, approved by the State Therapeutic Committee, through this platform to the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL). With the tender process for medicine supply, KSMSCL has initiated tenders for the supply of 732 essential medicines in 2023-24. In December 2024, purchase orders have been issued for 475 medicines, with efforts ongoing to address any shortages. There is also the direct procurement by health institutions for immediate availability.
To this end, the list of approved drugs have increased from 732 including both essential and desirable drugs to 1,032 based on demand, and these medicines are being procured through this year’s tender. Out of the existing 732 approved drugs, 344 are available.
Our department has taken several steps to tackle the shortage of medicines in the state, leading to significant improvements in their supply. In fact, the shortage of certain medicines is due to a lack of participation in tenders, explaining that since the value and quantity of these medicines are low, no suppliers have responded despite multiple tender invitations, said Karnataka health and family welfare minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.
To resolve this issue, the government is simplifying tender conditions and the procurement process to encourage greater participation from suppliers. During emergencies, health institutions are permitted to procure the required quantity of medicines with approval from the appropriate authority under the National Free Drugs Service Initiative at the local level. Additionally, steps are being taken to procure 25 per cent more stock from the previous supplier through the KSMSCL.
A proposal to purchase 23 essential medicines worth Rs. 9.5 crore from Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals Limited (KAPL) through Section 4G of Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act for emergency purposes is under consideration, said Rao at the Question Hour session in the on-going Legislative Assembly.
The government has also taken stringent measures to curb the circulation of fake drugs in the state. Here, 10 cases were registered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules in 2023-24, and five cases in 2024-25, following operations against drug sellers, stated Rao.
At least 87 pharmacies have been suspended, and action has been taken to shut down three pharmacies. Highlighting concerns over poor-quality medicines, Rao said these substandard drugs originate from states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Describing essential medicine shortage as a national issue, he added that the state government has taken measures and also communicated to the Central government seeking intervention. Regarding regulatory oversight, Rao informed the Assembly that 112 drug inspector posts have been sanctioned under the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, but only eight inspectors are currently in service, leaving 104 positions vacant.
In 2018, 67 candidates were selected following a recruitment notification for 83 drug inspector posts. However, the selection list, sent to the department in June 2021, was challenged in the High Court and later in the Supreme Court, where the case is still pending. Until these vacancies are filled, the Assistant Drug Controllers from the Circle Office have been assigned the additional responsibility of enforcing drug regulations. We assure that they are effectively handling the work of drug inspectors alongside their regular duties, said Rao.
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