An Assessment of Availability of Essential Medicines in Primary Health Centers of Tumkur Taluk, Karnataka

Background and Aim: Access to essential medicines is a core component of primary health care and a key determinant of positive health outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like India. Despite various national and global efforts, the availability of these medicines remains inconsistent across public health facilities. This study aimed to assess the availability of essential medicines in the primary health centers (PHCs) of Tumkur Taluk, Karnataka. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a 3-month period from September to November 2023, involving all 11 PHCs listed under the Health Management Information System of Tumkur Taluk. A self-prepared checklist based on the Karnataka State Essential Drug List for PHCs was used to record the availability of 112 essential medicines. Data collection was done through direct observation in the presence of pharmacists and medical officers, and the findings were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Results: The overall average availability of essential medicines across PHCs was 67%. The highest availability was recorded for “most essential drugs” (77%), while “essential drugs” had the lowest (51.9%). Medications such as paracetamol, phenytoin, and Ringer’s lactate were available in all centers. However, significant gaps were noted in the availability of psychiatric medications, vaccines (20%), and antibiotics (40.9%), which are crucial for comprehensive care. Conclusion: While the availability of essential medicines in Tumkur’s PHCs is relatively promising, there are notable gaps that need urgent attention. Addressing these through better supply chain management and policy efforts is essential for achieving equitable primary health care.