This paper examines the prerequisites for successful drug procurement within the Indian public healthcare system. It argues that the primal objective is timely availability of medicines, and analyses two successful procurement cases, from which four common elements emerge. One, an information system on stocks and flows of medicine. Two, processes and manuals covering the full pipeline of the procurement contract. Three, procedures and work allocation during emergencies. Four, an information system on present and prospective vendors. These elements, coupled with a supply-chain focused mandate on delivery to the end user, and investments in regular training of personnel, enable a public healthcare system that can deliver medicines reliably.

Improving supply chain management of medicines for public healthcare in India, Pavithra Manivannan, Charmi Mehta, Susan Thomas, XKDR Forum Working Paper 36, December 2024.