Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) has begun urgent buying of 496 essential medicines for 2025–26. This move aims to keep government hospitals stocked amid shortages. The Health Department confirmed 99 drug contracts are finalized, while tenders for 397 are still being evaluated. The procurement is expected to finish by March 2026, ensuring regular supply. Medicines scheduled for delivery in February and March include vital antibiotics, paracetamol, ibuprofen, and intravenous fluids. These are crucial for treating patients across government health facilities, said the Health Department release. To fill supply gaps during procurement, KSMSCL proposes buying generic drugs under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). A plan is sent to the Pharma and Medical Bureau of India to supply these medicines via authorized distributors. To prevent disruptions, ₹50 crore will be used from KSMSCL funds for local purchases by hospitals. Plus, government health centers can make emergency buys through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal as needed. Officials added that policy relaxations have sped up procurement. Already, 49 drugs have been bought in 2025 using measures like 4G exemption. This helped ease shortages in some categories. The effort aims to safeguard continuous patient care in Karnataka’s government hospitals.