Thiruvananthapuram: No government mercy on Karunya Pharmacy

Thiruvananthapuram: With Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd (KMSCL) owing crores of rupees to drug companies, the Karunya Pharmacy Stores run by the corporation are facing shortage of medicines.

Sources said the government was yet to release the required funds to the corporation. The issue was even taken up by the State Human Rights Commission which sought clarification from the KMSCL.

As per the tender agreement, KMSCL has to clear the payment of drug companies within 45 days of the supply of medicines. But owing to shortage of funds it has not been able stick to the norm.

While the government had set aside Rs 319 crore in annual budget for KMSCL, so far the corporation has received Rs 190 crores. In view of the breach of agreement, the drug companies have now threatened to stay away even from next year’s tender proceedings. The KMSCL has already conveyed the drug companies stand to the government.

The Karunya pharmacy scheme was started with the aim of providing medicines including branded ones at reasonable rates compared to open market. The minimum price difference was to be 30 per cent and the maximum 60 to 70 per cent.

Sources said there was a time when the dozen odd counters at the five medical colleges, district hospitals and general hospitals used to record monthly sales worth more than Rs 12 crore.  However, the sales indicated a drastic fall later.

When the first Karunya pharmacy outlet was opened at the Trivandrum Medical College in 2000, the daily sales had crossed a record Rs 15 lakh. But over the last one and a half decades, the sales have dwindled hugely.

The enthusiasm shown by the authorities during the initial phase of the launch of Karunya counters is missing owing to various factors. The successive governments had failed to expand the Karunya pharmacy outlets as per the initial plan.

Earlier the target was to set up 700 stores across the state. But the number was cut down to 140 - one in each Assembly segment. The number was again reduced to 100.

At the moment about 30 Karunya pharmacy stores are functioning in the state of which 30 are active. The outlets at Sabarimala and Pamba function are seasonal.