Tamil Nadu sees first pharmacy under Central scheme

Chennai: Makkal Marundhagam (People’s Pharmacy), a medical store in Sivagangai district, that opened four days ago, has already received over 4,000 phone calls for orders. Started under ‘Jan Aushadhi’, a Central government scheme, the store sells medicines at extremely low prices to help those who cannot afford spending too much on medicines.

Despite the country having developed in producing quality branded and generic medicines in most of the therapeutic categories, many are unable to afford the medicines in different parts of the country. With this in mind, the Central government had, in 2008, started the Jan Aushadhi scheme, to ensure availability of quality medicines at affordable prices to all.

“It took us eight months and over Rs 3 lakh, before we could start the store. The generic medicines sold are affordable for people from all economic backgrounds.

Though there are already around 406 medical stores that have opened up in the country under this scheme, no initiative had been taken up in Tamil Nadu,” said M. Omer Muckthar, state co convener of a social organisation called Makkal Pathai, which started the pharmacy.

The organisation conducts blood donations, when they also discuss the health of the donors. It was then that they found that many people, under the Insurance Scheme, had undergone heart operations and were required to take tablets worth Rs 1,500-3,000, which they could not afford. The medicines are now being sold at the store for a mere amount of Rs 150-300.

 “We are expecting various challenges from the public and pharma companies.  People have already started spreading rumours via messages with an aim of scaring away the public,” stated the co convener.

With a profit margin of barely 10-20 per cent, the store is willing to work to support the poor. People around the state have already shown immense interest, with the store having already received over 4000 calls in four days.

The medicines, which can be ordered via WhatsApp (9788052839) or email (svgjanaushadhi@gmail.com), will be delivered within 20 days, until the store gets more manpower. “We will soon deliver the medicines in a day’s time,” he said.

“We welcome the move by the government. However, it must be understood that there is a major difference between generic medicines and branded medicines, in terms of quality, efficacy and technology. The move will not affect retailers as much, as the public will surely prefer branded medicines as it is trustworthy,” said S.A. Ramesh of the Chemists and Druggists Association.