The Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Krea University, Chennai, conducted a study that can help states in India boost medical deliveries. The study showed that fill rates of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, and Punjab could potentially rise to 53 per cent as compared to an average fill rate of 30.95 per cent.

These four States were chosen for the study as they were the largest Indian states with the largest populations in the country. Essential medicine procurement in Indian Public health system is undertaken by the State-level medical service corporations (MSC). Some states, such as Kerala, follow a centralized system, while others like Punjab. Tamil Nadu and Odisha follow a decentralized system, which is a mix of the two.

It was found that despite the operational, logistic, and infrastructural challenges that exist in the current drug supply system, several measures can be undertaken by State Governments to considerably ease the system and address medicine shortage.

The study focused on issues that are identified in the procurement process of essential medicines. The medicine procurement data and contract information from the four States were central to the current study.

The study suggests that while the current processes of applying penalties and blacklisting suppliers are important levers with a state, a graded manner of applying these can help alleviate issues.