Severe Shortage of Free Medicines at Jaipur's SMS Hospital Raises Concerns
Critical Medicine Shortage at SMS Hospital
Jaipur, March 5, 2026: Patients at the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, the largest government facility in Rajasthan, are facing significant distress due to a severe shortage of free medications. Reports indicate that for over a month, the supply of medicines from the Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited (RMSCL) has been halted, leading to the unavailability of more than 50 essential drugs.
Chronic disease medications such as Dapagliflozin, Aspart Insulin, Aspirin, Nicoumalone, Levothyroxine, Pantop 40, and Duloxetine have not been available for an extended period. Additionally, common medications for cough, fever, antibiotics, and pediatric drugs are also missing from the counters.
The hospital sees an average of over 8,000 outpatient department (OPD) patients daily, with around 60% coming from rural areas. Due to the lack of available medications, patients are forced to purchase expensive drugs from private pharmacies outside the hospital. Notably, agents and brokers from private shops are reportedly active near counters 11 and 12, luring patients to buy medications outside, indicating a potential black market for drugs that exploits the deficiencies in the public healthcare system.
Pharmacists and staff have stated that requests for supplies have been sent to RMSCL multiple times, but no deliveries have occurred. The absence of local rate contracts has further complicated the procurement of medicines, causing significant issues for inpatient (IPD) patients as well.
This situation not only highlights negligence in healthcare services but also raises suspicions about whether medications are being deliberately withheld to compel patients to buy them externally. There is a pressing demand for the administration to ensure an immediate supply of medicines and to take strict action against any malpractice.
Patients and their families have urged the government to resolve this shortage of free medicines at the state's largest hospital promptly, so that vulnerable and needy patients do not have to endure additional hardships.