Following the footsteps of Andhra Pradesh Medical Services Corporation (APMSC), which started Jeevandhara Pharmacies for selling generic drugs on discounted rates, the Kerala State Medical Services Corporation Ltd (KSMSCL) has commenced its much publicized ‘Karunya Community Pharmacy’ to provide 20 to 60 per cent discounts on the cost of all branded prescription drugs for the benefit of the common public ailing from various diseases.

Kerala is the third state in India to start retail pharmacies in government sector for the sale of drugs at lower rates. The first such initiative was started in Chitodgadh district in Rajasthan by the district collector one year before, followed by APMSC in Andhra Pradesh. The uniqueness of Jeevandhara project in AP is that its pharmacies are run by local women’s self –help groups, Lion’s Clubs and Rotary Clubs. But in Kerala, the pharmacies are run and controlled by the State Medical Services Corporation.

The first outlet of the Karunya pharmacy was opened at the Medical College Hospital premises in Thiruvananthapuram recently. The second outlet will be opened in next week at Kallara Punchayath in the capital district, said Adoor Prakash, the state health minister.

He said besides selling drugs at lower rates, the aim of establishing such pharmacies involve checking of the escalating price rise as per the whims and fancies of traders and manufacturers.

While speaking to this reporter, the minister said, “People can buy all the drugs from the counter on 20-60 per cent discount of the MRP. We are planning to sell all kinds of drugs through these community pharmacies. Shortly more pharmacies will be inaugurated in all district hospitals, taluk hospitals and in selected panchayats. There are very big differences in the prices of drugs sold through Karunya pharmacy and through other shops outside,” the minister said. He added that more number of speciality drugs used for the treatment of renal diseases (nephrology and urology), cancer, hypertension, infertility treatment etc., would be brought under the system.

When contacted the pharmacy at Thiruvananthapuram MCH, the pharmacists there said, ‘Pegasys’, the drug used for treating liver cirrhosis, is sold there for Rs.6940 as against its MRP of Rs.18200. The patients are getting a benefit of 60 per cent discount on MRP.

One strip of tablet, Cellcept 250 mg, prescribed for patients undergoing treatments for kidney and heart problems, is sold for Rs.264 instead of its actual price, Rs.515. The difference is 49 per cent.

The MRP of Noxafil syrup, used by patients suffering from fungal infections, is Rs.16000. It is sold through the pharmacy on 16 per cent discount. The sale price is Rs.13500.

Vintor 400 injection for patients suffering from kidney failure can be bought from here for Rs.295 instead of its MRP of Rs.1200. A variation of 24.5 per cent on MRP.

Amphocel injection for treating fungal diseases is sold at 23 per cent discount. The original price for the drug is Rs.7990, but it is available at the Karunya Pharmacy for Rs.6142. The pharmacists said people can buy all kinds of medicines at any time from the outlet which is working on 24 hours.

Biju Prabhakar, the managing director of KSMSCL, said in the beginning the people can avail 840 branded generics from Karunya pharmacy, and more number of drugs will be available shortly. Prior to the inauguration of Community Pharmacy in Kerala, Biju Prabhakar had in last month visited Hyderabad to learn about Jeevandhara project and later on held discussions with the captains of major pharma industry in the country.

KSMSCL had given skilful training to selected pharmacists to handle the ‘Karunya’ medical shops early in November last year.