Prior to the launch of the government sponsored subsidized generic pharmacy network scheme, ‘Mudhalvar Marunthagam’ (chief minister’s pharmacy) in Tamil Nadu, the Thiruvarur district Chemists and Druggists’ Association (CDA Thiruvarur), an affiliate of the Tamil Nadu Pharma Traders Association (TN PTA), has decided to enter into sale of generic versions of all brands through their retail outlets. Over six hundred retail medical shops in the district will start the sale of generic medicines from the first week of January 2025. The Tamil Nadu government’s generic pharmacy, Mudhalvar Marunthagam will start functioning from January 14 onwards, the day of Tamil New Year (Pongal Day). Similar to those of the discount pharmacies and Jan Aushadhi Stores, the chemist association members will also put one board in front of their shops stating that, “medicines at cheaper rates are available here”. Bit by bit, the other district committees of the association will also replicate this model of business introduced by the Thiruvarur district committee, in each district of the state. On December 22, a meeting of the Madurai district committee will be held to discuss the new model of business introduced by Thiruvarur CDA, said Mannargudi Ramachandran, chairman of the TNPTA. Ramachandran made this proposal in the district committee meeting of the Thiruvarur CDA last week, and suggested to all the retailers to set up a separate rack for keeping generic medicines apart. Later while speaking to Pharmabiz, he said this is the only way to restore their livelihood, so quality generic drugs will be sold through all retail shops. According to him, about 650 medical stores in the district will start selling generic medicines from next year. He said this is the only way the association finds to combat the rising threat of generic stores and discount pharmacies. Further, he said, the shops will become customer-friendly and do business in a way to keep their regular customers with them forever. The traders will make a list of medicines used by each customer and purchase those medicines to keep up their availability in the shop always. Secondly, generic versions of each brand will also be purchased and kept at the store to sell them to the needy patients or to those who want generic versions only. Patented generics and branded generics will be stored along with the common generic versions. However, most of the racks in the medical shops will be set aside for branded medicines and PCD medicines prescribed by doctors. There is a set of patients who do not bother about price variations, but stick to branded drugs only. Such customers are the backbone of the business, and they will have to be satisfied, said Ramachandran. He said the district committee has started making lists of medicines used by customers in each place. Each retail outlet will forward their list of medicines to the district committee who will sort out the names of the medicines and purchase their generic versions and distribute them among the retailers who will sell them to their customers at cheaper rates. This price will be lower than the prices of medicines now available at the Jan Aushadhi stores and cooperative pharmacies. The government’s Mudhalvar Marunthagam’s strategy is to sell medicines at a price lower than the price of Jan Aushadhi Stores and other discount pharmacies. In the meeting, the members discussed their concerns about the online drug business, quick service drug business, and the business competitions faced by them due to generic drug businesses of the state and central governments. Association’s retail wing team executives Mohan, Madan and Abdul Jabbar explained the grievances of the traders. The meeting was held at the Mannargudi MNS Wedding Hall. Thiruvarur district committee president M Lakshmanan presided and TNPTA honorary president Chola Mahendran inaugurated the meeting. Retail wing president Annamalai welcomed the audience and the executive secretary Babu proposed a vote of thanks.
|