Patna: Bihar has retained its position as the top-performing state in the country for providing free medicines to patients in government hospitals, marking the 18th consecutive month at number one. The latest national report for February 2026 shows the state continuing to lead in ensuring that essential medicines are available free of cost at public healthcare facilities.
State health minister Mangal Pandey said Bihar first secured the top rank in September 2024 and has held the position continuously since then. He said the sustained performance reflects the state government’s efforts to strengthen public health services and improve access to treatment for patients.
According to the minister, the government aims to ensure that every patient visiting a government hospital receives both proper medical care and the medicines required for treatment without having to pay. The policy is intended to reduce the financial burden of healthcare, particularly for low-income and vulnerable groups who rely heavily on public hospitals.
Officials said a series of administrative reforms have contributed to the achievement. These include the implementation of an Essential Drug List (EDL) and the expansion of a centralised drug management system designed to maintain a steady supply of medicines across health facilities.
The health department has also introduced a structured referral policy to ensure that patients who require advanced treatment can be transferred from smaller health centres to larger hospitals in time. Authorities say these steps have improved medicine availability and strengthened service delivery across the state’s healthcare network.
Officials believe that the consistent supply of free medicines has helped build public confidence in government hospitals, leading more people to seek treatment in the public healthcare system.
