All Kerala Chemists and Druggists Association (AKCDA) is planning to start Drug Banks in all the district head quarters of the state in association with the District Press Clubs. The objective is to dispense the imported essential drugs to the common man at affordable prices.

The state committee of the AKCDA has taken this decision at the general body meeting held as part of the south zone meeting of the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) in Kochi on Saturday. The state body also plans to provide free medicines to those below poverty line through this drug bank scheme. J Ramesh Kamath, spokesman of AKCDA and co-ordinator of All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists told Pharmabiz.

"Now a days, high priced medicines for cancer, cardiac arrest, kidney failure and diabetics are being directly imported by the doctors of super specialty hospitals in the state. And the price at which it is supplied to the patients is quite high. Now such medicines will be issued to the patients at a reasonable prices", Kamath said.

While inaugurating the meeting, P.K Sreemathy, the state health minister announced that the state health ministry had approved a proposal to form a Drug Trade Advisory Committee to regulate the prices of life saving medicines. Apart from the minister, who will be the chairperson of the committee, drugs controller, selected members from legislative assemblies, representatives from social organizations and pharma trade associations will also be the members of the advisory committee. The AKCDA has been pressing for establishing a drug advisory committee for some years, the spokesman said.

The Minister said the government would ensure supply of medicines to the poor at reasonable prices. Steps would be taken to check malpractices in the manufacturing and distribution of medicines in the State. The State government would consider extending benefits of medical aid to those who are Above Poverty Line (APL) category. Those in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category are currently receiving the benefits provided by the government, she said.

Earlier the Association had sought the interference of the state government in checking the upcoming of chain stores in the state. In the meeting the association raised its objection against the current system of issuing licences to start retail pharmacy stores. The Association said such practice would pave way for spread of spurious drugs and hence indiscriminate issue of trade license must be curtailed. The minister said the government would look into the matter seriously.

J S Shinde, general secretary of the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists, delivered the keynote address.