Bihar Tops Nation in Free Medicine Distribution for 17th Consecutive Month, Surpasses Rajasthan

Patna: Bihar has once again claimed the top spot in India for providing free medicines to patients at government hospitals, surpassing Rajasthan. This achievement marks the 17th consecutive month that Bihar has led the nation in this critical healthcare service, reflecting the state’s strong commitment to public health.

According to the monthly ranking released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bihar scored 80.89 points in January 2026, overtaking Rajasthan, which scored 77.65, and Punjab at 71.31. Bihar first achieved the top rank in September 2024 with a score of 77.20 points. The rankings, published on the Drug and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS) Central Dashboard, evaluate states on the availability of essential medicines in government hospitals.

How Bihar Achieved This Success

Officials from the Bihar Health Department attribute this success to a comprehensive action plan implemented across the state’s healthcare network. Key measures include:

• Establishing a list of essential medicines (EDL) for all hospitals and health centers.
• Enforcing strict medicine dispensing protocols and timely supply regulations.
• Implementing a referral policy to efficiently transfer patients from smaller health centers to larger institutions.
• Ensuring accountability at all administrative levels, including pharmacy managers, hospital administrators, and in-charges.
• Leveraging the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) app to register patients and track medicine delivery.
• Providing transportation and logistics support to deliver medicines to health facilities promptly.

Medicine Availability Across Health Facilities

Facility Type	OPD Medicines Available	IPD Medicines Available
Medical College Hospital	356	255
District Hospital	287	169
Sub-Divisional Hospital	212	101
Community Health Center	212	97
Primary Health Center	201	93
Urban PHC	180	–
Additional PHC	140	53
Health & Wellness Center	151	–
Health Sub-Center	97	–

QR Code Facility Enhances Transparency

To ensure patients have real-time information about medicine availability, Bihar has installed QR codes at all health centers. Scanning these codes allows patients and their families to check which medicines are available. Bihar currently operates 10,626 government health facilities, ranging from medical colleges to primary health sub-centers, treating approximately 65 million patients annually. Free medicine provision has particularly benefited the poor and marginalized, reducing the financial burden of medical treatment.

Efficient Management and Oversight

Health Minister Mangal Pandey stated that Bihar’s consistent first-place ranking is a model for the entire country. “Maintaining the top position for 17 consecutive months is proof that our healthcare system is not only strong but also transparent, efficiently managed, and continuously monitored. Sustaining this excellence is a remarkable and inspiring achievement for Bihar’s health department,” he said.

Bihar’s record performance highlights the state’s dedication to improving healthcare access for all, especially the underserved, and sets a benchmark for other states to emulate.