Buprenorphine Supply Surges in Panjab Jails; Panel Cites PPP Healthcare

August

2026

The Panjab government purchased 434.4M tablets of Buprenorphine + Naloxone—a drug used to help wean addicts off substance dependence—in the past four-and-a-half years and supplied them to addicts seeking treatment for drug abuse, especially in the state's jails. As of July 2026, 88.7M tablets have been supplied in jails by the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC), indicating a sharp rise from 11.7M tablets supplied in 2022. 40,830 inmates have been registered for treatment in jails since 2022. Aam Aadmi Party Member of Legislative Assembly from Bathinda, Jagrup Singh Gill, shared the data while presenting the 129^th Report of the Committee on Public Undertakings tabled in the Parliament. Panjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said the increase in tablet supply was due to the government's decision to set up treatment centers and Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment clinics in jails. Meanwhile, the Panjab government has launched a training program across 12 districts to help educators identify early signs of mental health concerns and vulnerability to drug abuse among students. More than 21,850 teachers are expected to undergo the training starting August 2026 under the Yudh Nashean Virudh (War on drugs) campaign. The first sessions were held in Fazilka and Tarn Taran districts, with more than 800 teachers participating. Additionally, schools across Panjab are dedicating 20 minutes every day for the mental health period under the state’s mindfulness program till 31 Aug. The program aims to help students manage stress and improve concentration for better learning in the classroom. During the sessions, students will take part in breathing exercises, guided reflection, affirmations, and gratitude activities. Concurrently, the parliamentary standing committee on health and family welfare has recommended Panjab’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for providing subsidised MRI, CT scan and laboratory diagnostic services to the union government asking it to help other states adopt similar models. The observations are part of the committee’s report, which has been tabled in both Houses of the Parliament. The panel noted that Panjab’s model of providing high-end radio-diagnostic services at substantially discounted Central Government Health Scheme rates was a highly effective mechanism for reducing healthcare costs. The report says that PHSC entered into concession agreements with two private firms under the PPP model to improve affordability and expand access to quality diagnostic services (earlier coverage).