In a move to ensure availability of anti-cancer drugs at reasonable prices to the cancer patients, the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh has launched a scheme called Aasha Jyothy.


Under the initiative quality cytotoxic (anti-cancer) drugs will be available in Jeevandhara pharmacies at reduced prices. Sources said that hospitals in Visakhapatnam are treating approximately 1000 cancer patients per year. A committee lead by Sri Lanka Srinivas, global pharma expert, Dr P V Appaji, executive director, Pharmexcil, superintendent of King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam, president of Zilla Samakhya and assistant director of Drugs Control Administration in consultation with head of the Oncology in King George Hospital, has identified 24 commonly used drugs manufactured by companies such as Cipla, Fresenius Kabi, Zydus Cadila, Natco, Hetero, Biochem, Lupin, Dr Reddy’s and Intas.


Sources added that medicine for the treatment of carcinoma of breast (stage II) costs Rs.54248. However, if the same medicines are purchased from Jeevandhara stores, it costs only Rs.14025. Rectum and Colon cancer medicines cost Rs.136753, while Jeevandhara stores supply the same drugs at Rs.38148. Jeevandhara stores will supply lung cancer (stage II) medicines at Rs.27000, which costs Rs.75000 if bought from other medical stores.


Speaking with Pharmabiz, Ravi Uday Bhaskar, assistant director, Drugs Control Administration, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and associated with the concept,said, “It’s the first time a concept like Aasha Jyothy is being introduced in India and it can be launched in the entire state of Andhra Pradesh through Jeevandhara Pharmacies. Under the concept, initially 24 frequently used anti cancer medicines manufactured by 10 reputed companies to treat different categories of cancers are made available at 20 per cent to 85 per cent discount.


There are also plans to develop ways to raise public awareness about can and how it can be prevented by organizing lectures and cancer screening camps under the concept. It has also plans to give more emphasis to supply medicines such as morphine tablets and fentanyl patches for palliative care and pain treatment of cancer patients.