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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3509
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13TH MARCH 2026
Availability of Fertilizers and Medicines
†3509. Shri Kanwar Singh Tanwar:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has made any assessment regarding the availability, accessibility
and affordability of fertilizers, medicines and chemical-based health inputs including the
efficiency of the supply chain and consumer awareness in Amroha district of Uttar Pradesh;
(b) if so, the details of the fertilizer distribution, price monitoring, coverage of Jan Aushadhi
Kendras (JAKs) medicine availability and regulatory monitoring in the said district during the
last three years; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND
FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) to (c): 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-line web-based monitoring system called integrated Fertilizers Monitoring
System (iFMS).
(iv). The State Government 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.
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