Jharkhand’s Pharmaceutical Price Monitoring and Resource Unit (PMRU) has achieved 97 per cent of the targets set by the Central government, marking significant progress in monitoring drug prices and ensuring the availability of essential medicines across the state. The unit has now been directed to complete the remaining targets and strive for performance beyond 100 per cent.
The development came during a meeting of the Jharkhand PMRU Governing Body chaired by Additional Chief Secretary of the Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Department, Ajay Kumar Singh, on November 2, 2026. The meeting was held at his office, where officials reviewed the unit’s activities and discussed measures to improve its performance.
Officials also informed the meeting that the Central government has approved the extension of the PMRU programme until the financial year 2030-31. Reviewing the progress made so far, Singh directed the unit to accelerate its activities and ensure that all assigned targets are achieved within the stipulated timeframe.
The PMRU plays an important role in keeping drug prices under check, monitoring the availability of medicines and creating awareness among consumers about their rights. As part of its responsibilities, the unit regularly inspects medical stores, hospitals and other medicine retail outlets to ensure compliance with prescribed drug prices.
For medicines whose prices are regulated by the Central government, the unit collects samples to check whether retailers are charging more than the notified maximum retail price (MRP). It also monitors price increases in medicines that are not covered by government price controls. If the prices of such medicines rise by more than 10 per cent, samples are collected for examination and further action is taken in accordance with applicable rules.
The unit also monitors the availability of essential medicines in the market to identify potential shortages and help prevent disruptions in their supply. Consumers can check the maximum retail prices of regulated medicines through the Central government’s IPDS 2.0 portal.
‘Pharma Sahi Daam’ app to help consumers check medicine prices
The meeting placed particular emphasis on increasing public awareness about the ‘Pharma Sahi Daam’ mobile application, which enables consumers to access information about medicine prices and make informed purchasing decisions.
Through the app, users can check the prices of medicines, view their composition and access other relevant details. It also allows consumers to lodge complaints if a retailer charges more than the prescribed price or if they encounter problems related to medicine shortages. Users can additionally track the status of complaints they have already submitted.
Available in Hindi and English
The ‘Pharma Sahi Daam’ app is available in both Hindi and English and includes a voice-based search facility to make it easier for users to find medicine prices. Consumers can also bookmark important medicines for quick access. The application is available on both Android and iOS platforms.
The PMRU has urged consumers to check the prescribed prices of medicines before purchasing them and report cases of overcharging. Such complaints can help authorities ensure greater transparency in medicine sales and protect consumer interests.
The meeting was attended by National Health Mission (NHM) Campaign Director Shashi Prakash Jha, Director (Drugs) Ritu Sahay, Assistant Director Ram Kumar Jha and several other PMRU officials.