Patna: Bihar has been ranked first in the country for medicine supply and distribution for 22 consecutive months, according to the Central Government’s Drugs and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS) portal, Health Minister Nishant said.
The minister said the state has maintained the top position from September 2024 to June 2026, describing the achievement as a reflection of the Bihar government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare services and improve access to medicines.
According to the DVDMS portal, Bihar secured a score of 80.32, followed by Punjab with 71.67 points and Rajasthan with 69.75 points.
Healthcare Reforms and Free Medicine Policy
Nishant said Bihar’s healthcare reforms gained momentum under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after 2005.
As part of these reforms, the state introduced a Free Medicine Distribution Policy following Cabinet approval on July 1, 2006.
The minister said only 47 types of medicines were available under the scheme when it was launched in 2006. The number has since increased to 504 medicines.
In addition, the government now provides 20 other categories of medicines and 132 types of medical devices and consumables free of cost in public healthcare facilities.
Expanded Availability Across Public Hospitals
According to the minister, patients visiting government hospitals receive prescribed medicines free of charge.
He said the list includes medicines ranging from life-saving drugs to treatments for conditions such as cancer, arthritis, asthma, allergies, blood clotting disorders and allergic reactions.
The government has also expanded medicine availability across different levels of the public healthcare system. According to the Health Minister, 362 types of medicines are available at district hospitals, 256 at sub-divisional hospitals, 241 at referral hospitals, 252 at community health centres, 239 at primary health centres, 137 at urban primary health centres, 139 at additional primary health centres, 115 at health and wellness centres, and 25 at health sub-centres.
National Ranking
The minister said Bihar’s performance on the Centre’s DVDMS portal highlights the state’s progress in strengthening medicine procurement, supply and distribution across its public health network. He attributed the sustained ranking to continued investment in healthcare infrastructure and the expansion of free medicine services across government facilities.
