Big relief for cancer patients of Kerala. The state government has decided to sell expensive cancer medicines at a cheaper rate through ‘Karunya Community Pharmacy’ while taking zero profit. Health Minister Veena George said that it has been decided to make 800 types of medicines available to the public at a profit, including medicines used after organ transplant surgery, at ‘Karunya Outlets’. After this decision, the price of medicines sold through ‘Karunya Pharmacy’ will be further reduced. Which usually takes a profit of 12 percent.
What did Kerala Health Minister Veena George say on cheap medicines?
Health Minister Veena George said this will help in making medicines reach patients. The government’s such intervention in cancer medicine available in the state is a landmark decision. The health minister said the project will be launched on July 15 at the main Karunya outlets in each district centre.
Zero profit free counters at Karunya Pharmacies outlets
These outlets will have separate zero profit free counters and separate staff to manage the project. Currently, 74 Karunya pharmacies are selling 7,000 types of medicines from various companies at discounted prices. Kerala Medical Services Corporation (KMSCL), which procures medicines and supplies them through Karunya outlets, plans to implement the price cut.
At present, medicines are made available at a discount of 38% to 93%. Under this government, the profit percentage has come down from 12% to 8%.
Selling zero profit medicines will help patients
The aim is to further reduce costs after meeting administrative expenses. State nodal officer for non-communicable diseases and state coordinator of the district cancer control programme Dr Bipin K Gopal said the ‘zero-profit’ margin will help cancer patients as a significant amount of money is spent on medicines for treatment, the official said.
Public health experts like Dr V Ramankutty and Dr B Ekbal have been advocates of government intervention to reduce the cost of medicines. A study conducted by Kochi-based oncologist Dr Aju Mathew found that nearly 50% of cancer patients in the country struggle to afford their cancer care. Cancer is a serious disease that can take a toll on you financially too.
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