EPS Urges Tamil Nadu Government to Revive Amma Pharmacy for Affordable Medicines
EPS calls for the revival of Amma Pharmacy to provide affordable medicines for the poor and middle class in Tamil Nadu.
Chennai, November 1 (Daily Kiran) : Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) criticized the current government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for neglecting affordable healthcare. On Sunday, he demanded the re-establishment of Amma Pharmacy to ensure that low-income and middle-class families have access to medicines at reduced prices.
In a statement, Palaniswami claimed that the government’s failure to control rising drug prices has increased the financial burden on these families, particularly those reliant on life-saving medications. He recalled that the Amma Pharmacy initiative was launched in 2014 by former Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha, aimed at providing essential medicines at affordable rates through the cooperative sector.
Palaniswami noted that this initiative was introduced in response to complaints about excessive pricing by pharmaceutical companies. Under his leadership, the AIADMK government expanded Amma Pharmacy across Tamil Nadu, easing the financial strain on patients and improving access to medications.
However, he accused the DMK government, which came to power in 2021, of undermining this initiative by shutting down Amma Pharmacy and promoting a private venture called ‘Chief Minister Pharmacy’ instead. According to Palaniswami, the current administration has not prioritized these centers adequately.
Citing concerns from the All India Drug Action Network, he highlighted that some life-saving drugs are being sold at over 30% profit margins. He also referenced a Supreme Court hearing on October 27 regarding drug pricing, where the court sought clarifications from both central and state governments about the costs of medications sold in hospitals.
Palaniswami questioned the government’s approach to drug pricing, pointing out the inconsistency in prioritizing affordable medicines for the public while simultaneously planning to increase taxes on alcohol sold through TASMAC to generate additional revenue of ₹1,200 to ₹1,600 crores annually.
He urged the state government to fully reinstate Amma Pharmacy and ensure that affordable medicines reach families in need. He also asked if the government would take steps to alleviate the economic burden on citizens by prioritizing their healthcare needs.
