India, March 12 -- Medicines protect health and save lives. But medicines cost money and spending on them constitutes a major component of out-of-pocket expenditure. To alleviate this stress on citizens, the government provides free medicines through public hospitals and through over 1.7 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY) provides free inpatient care, including all the necessary medicines, to over 55 crore individuals. Prices of many essential drugs are also regulated.

These efforts have contributed to a consistent decline in out-of-pocket expenditure - from 64% of the total health expenditure in 2013-14 to 39% in 2021-22. But more needs to be done to further reduce the financial burden ...