Chennai, Nov 1: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has urged the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in Tamil Nadu to fully revive the subsidised Amma pharmacies introduced by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. He said the revival of these pharmacies would help poor and middle-class families access affordable medicines amid rising drug prices.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the former Chief Minister criticised the government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay for allegedly failing to control the prices of essential and life-saving medicines. He said the rising cost of medicines was placing a heavy financial burden on economically weaker sections and vulnerable families.
Palaniswami Highlights Jayalalithaa’s Amma Pharmacy Scheme
Palaniswami recalled that former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa launched the Amma Marundhagangal (Amma Pharmacies) scheme in 2014 through the Cooperative Department.
The scheme was introduced to provide essential and life-saving medicines at affordable prices to poor, vulnerable and middle-class families. He said the initiative helped people access quality medicines without facing excessive financial pressure.
He also stated that the AIADMK government expanded the Amma pharmacy network during his tenure, benefiting thousands of people across Tamil Nadu.
AIADMK Accuses DMK Government of Weakening Amma Pharmacies
Palaniswami alleged that the DMK government, which came to power in 2021, weakened the Amma pharmacy scheme by renaming the outlets as Chief Minister Pharmacies and handing them over to private entities.
He further claimed that the present TVK government had also failed to give importance to these pharmacies, despite their role in providing affordable medicines.
According to him, fully restoring the original Amma pharmacy network would help protect people from rising healthcare expenses.
Rising Medicine Prices Become a Concern
The AIADMK leader referred to reports by the All India Drug Action Network, which reportedly highlighted how some pharmaceutical companies were selling life-saving medicines at prices significantly higher than the stipulated 30 per cent profit margin.
He said rising medicine prices had become a serious concern, particularly for patients requiring long-term treatment and families struggling with medical expenses.
Palaniswami Refers to Supreme Court’s Observations on Medicine Prices
Palaniswami also referred to a Supreme Court hearing held on October 27 concerning private hospital charges and the pricing of life-saving medical products and medicines.
He said the Supreme Court had directed the Central and state governments to clarify their positions on fixing retail prices for medicines sold in hospitals.
He argued that affordable medicine access should be a priority for governments to protect public health.
Questions TVK Government Over Liquor Revenue
Palaniswami questioned the TVK government’s priorities, pointing to its reported annual revenue of around Rs 1,200 crore to Rs 1,600 crore through a Rs 10 increase in liquor prices at TASMAC outlets.
He asked whether the government would take a similar initiative to restore the Amma pharmacies and make essential medicines available at lower prices.
The AIADMK general secretary urged Chief Minister Vijay’s government to fully revive the Amma Marundhagangal scheme, stating that affordable medicines were essential to protect the health and lives of poor, vulnerable and middle-class people in Tamil Nadu.
