Kerala: Generic medicine counters on anvil

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Close on the heels of Pharmaceutical Society of Kerala a subsidiary of Kerala State Pharmacy Council deciding to set up 300 Jan Aushadhi medical stores within a year, Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd too is coming up with a plan to open generic medicine stores across the state. While KMSCL authorities say that the proposal is only at the planning stage, the government seems to be keen on having a system which will run parallel to the Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertaking of India (BPPI) run Jan Aushadhi medical stores.

According to a senior official, the corporation is conducting a detailed study of various systems that are in place at the moment besides the Jan Aushadhi project and medicines being supplied by these outlets."The proposal is under consideration. A concrete plan will emerge soon," he said. The state government proposal has raised eyebrows since the Jan Aushadhi stores are dispensing only quality assured medicines procured from government firms. They have roped in public sector firms like Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Hindustan Antibiotics and Karnataka antibiotics for supplying the drugs.

These firms will manufacture drugs exclusively for aushadhi stores.Only the firms which are willing to take up total generic dispensing have been taken on board. Experts say instead of running a parallel system KMSCL should have taken advantage of the tie-up with Central Government run Pharma Public Sector Undertaking of India (BPPI) Jan Aushadhi venture and worked jointly. Such a system would have created a win-win situation for both.  At the end of the day the purpose of these schemes is to ensure generic medicines for the common man at much lower rates,they said.

The stores will get uninterrupted supply of medicines from the designated public sector drug manufacturing companies. The Centre's Jan Aushadhi initiative is aimed at checking the sale of medicines under their brand names. Moreover, generic dispensing is not taking place in most medical outlets including those run by government agencies. Besides ensuring quality drugs at very reasonable rates, the Jan Aushadhi stores would be dispensing medicines in generic names which will also bring an end to the fleecing of consumers.