Availability of Fertilizers and Medicines
Availability of Fertilizers and Medicines
As per information furnished by Department of Fertilizers, following steps are taken by the Government every season to ensure adequate and timely availability of fertilizers across the country:
(i). Before the commencement of each cropping season, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), in consultation with all the State Governments assesses the State-wise & month-wise requirement of fertilizers.
(ii). On the basis of requirement projected by DA&FW, Department of Fertilizers allocates adequate quantities of fertilizers to States by issuing monthly supply plan and continuously monitors the availability.
(iii). The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is monitored throughout the country by an online web-based monitoring system called integrated Fertilizers Monitoring System (iFMS).
(iv). The State Governments are regularly advised to coordinate with manufacturers and importers for streamlining the supplies through timely placement of indents.
(v). Regular Weekly Video Conference is conducted jointly by DA&FW and Department of Fertilizers with State Agriculture Officials and corrective actions are taken to dispatch fertilizer as indicated by the State Governments.
(vi). Distribution of fertilizers within the State at district level is done by the concerned State government.
Presently, prices of drugs are regulated as per the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order 2013 (DPCO, 2013). As per extant provisions of DPCO, 2013, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) controls prices of medicines by fixing ceiling prices of formulations specified in Schedule-I to DPCO, 2013 which is based on the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) published by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. NPPA also fixes the retail price of new drugs as defined under para 2(1)(u) of DPCO, 2013. The retail price of a new drug is applicable to the applicant manufacturer and marketer, who are required to sell the new drug within the price notified by NPPA. In case of non-scheduled formulations, manufacturers are required to not increase the maximum retail price (MRP) of such formulations by more than 10% of MRP during preceding 12 months. Prices of both scheduled and non-scheduled formulations are monitored as an ongoing process and action is taken against companies found overcharging consumers or violating the provisions of the DPCO, 2013.
Further, Consumer Awareness Publicity & Price Monitoring (CAPPM) Scheme is being implemented by NPPA (Department of Pharmaceuticals) since the year 2018 under which Price Monitoring and Resource Units (PMRUs) are established in the States/ UTs which conduct Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities for dissemination of information relating to price changes.
Moreover, NPPA monitors availability of drugs in the country and takes remedial measures whenever issue of non-availability of any medicine is brought to its notice. Complaints regarding non-availability of a medicine in the market is received by NPPA through various sources including State Drugs Controllers (SDCs), Pharma Jan Samadhan Portal, NPPA Helpline and public grievance portals like PMOPG/CPGRAMS and Individuals. NPPA takes immediate measures in coordination with the State Authorities and the manufacturer of the drugs concerned to ensure availability of the said drug in the said region/ state. However, no complaints of shortages/non availability of medicines have been received from Amroha district of Uttar Pradesh
Further, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana was launched by the Government of India to make quality generic medicines available at affordable prices for all citizens. Under this scheme, special outlets called Jan Aushadhi Kendras are opened across the country. These Kendras provide medicines that are about 50% to 80% cheaper than branded medicines, helping reduce healthcare expenses for patients.
The scheme offers a comprehensive product basket consisting of 2,110 medicines and 315 medical devices and consumables, covering all major therapeutic groups. These include medicines for cardiovascular diseases, cancer treatment, diabetes, infections, allergies, and gastrointestinal disorders, along with nutraceutical products, ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare for the public.
Under the scheme, a total of 18,646 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened across the country as on 28.02.2026, of which 3,944 JAKs in the State of Uttar Pradesh including 29 JAKs in Amroha district.
With a view to ensure quality of medicines available at JAKs so that health of patients is not compromised, concrete mechanisms have been put in place to ensure continuous inspection, testing and standardisation, including the following:
(i). Supply only from WHO Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certified plants: Only plants that are certified as WHO-GMP compliant by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) after direct inspection are eligible for supply.
(ii). Distribution only after 100% pre-testing of all medicine batches: Samples are drawn from 100% of batches supplied at PMBI’s warehouses for testing anonymously, and medicines are dispatched for supply to JAKs only after the quality test is passed.
(iii). Testing only at labs compliant with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP): Samples are tested only at labs accredited and periodically inspected by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and, in addition, assessed by PMBI for GLP compliance.
Number of steps have been taken to ensure effective and regular supply of medicines including critical and life saving medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs), including the following:
(i). Since September 2024, stocking by JAKs of 200 commonly used medicines, consisting of the 100 top-selling medicines in the scheme product basket and 100 fast-selling medicines in the market, has been incentivised, under which JAK owners are eligible for monthly incentive based on the stocks that they maintain of these medicines.
(ii). An end-to-end information-technology-enabled supply chain system is in place to connect a robust supply chain system consisting of 5 warehouses and a growing network of distributors across the country.
(iii). In addition, with a view to ensure availability of commonly used products, 400 fast-moving products are monitored regularly by the scheme implementing agency {Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)} and demand for the same is forecasted on an ongoing basis. Further, steps have been taken to digitise the forecasting method to augment the procurement process.
To promote acceptability of medicines supplied through JAKs, targeted awareness campaigns about the benefits of Janaushadhi medicines are conducted on a regular basis:
(i). Awareness campaigns: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), which is the implementing agency for PMBJP conducts awareness campaigns in coordination with bodies and platforms such as the Central Bureau of Communication, PIB, MyGov and MY Bharat, in various modes such as print, television, radio, social media platforms, outdoor hoardings, community engagement, etc.
(ii). Interactive messages/calls: Outreach and citizen engagement are also pursued through WhatsApp chatbot and outbound calls to inform citizens regarding the quality of Janaushadhi products and the large savings that accrue from purchase of the same from nearest JAK.
This information was given by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.