Distribution Management of Drugs/medicines and vaccines vis-a-vis Free Drugs Service Initiative (FDSI) of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India in the Indian States

As they say “Health is wealth”. The saving is even more pertinent in the times of any pandemic like COVID-19, wherein the effect of health infrastructure is evident in almost every phase of life. Every country is trying to improve health service delivery for its citizens. Availability of the right drugs at right time for the right person (patient) is the task easier said than done. In the Indian context, Free Drugs Service Initiative (FDSI) is the Government of India's ambitious program aimed at ensuring the health of its citizens. Among others, Supply chain management or Inventory management of drugs & vaccines is an important aspect to consider for achieving better health of the citizens. This paper provides inputs about the various Inventory Management or Supply Chain Management software that are in use in the various Indian States for the Distribution of Essential Drugs down the hierarchy from Headquarters or State Drug Warehouses to the Patients.