The government-backed stores provide generic and branded medicines, as well as Siddha, Unani, and Ayurvedic products, at prices 20 to 90 percent lower than market rates, ensuring affordable healthcare for the public.
Published Feb 28, 2025 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 16, 2025 | 6:11 PM
Synopsis: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has launched Mudhalvar Marundhagam, a government-subsidised pharmacy initiative offering essential medicines, including for blood pressure and diabetes, at prices significantly lower than private pharmacies and even existing central schemes like Jan Aushadhi Kendras. With 1,000 stores set up across all 38 districts in the first phase, these pharmacies provide a wide range of generic and branded medicines through a mixed governance model.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin recently launched Mudhalvar Marundhagam, a government-subsidised pharmacy scheme offering BP and diabetes tablets for just ₹4—400 percent cheaper than private pharmacies and even lower than PM Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
On 24 February 2025, Stalin inaugurated 1,000 Mudhalvar Marundhagam pharmacies across Tamil Nadu as part of the initiative. These government-backed stores provide generic and branded medicines, as well as Siddha, Unani, and Ayurvedic products, at prices 20 to 90 percent lower than market rates, ensuring affordable healthcare for the public.
In the first phase, the 1,000 pharmacies have been set up across all 38 districts of Tamil Nadu, including 33 locations in Chennai. These pharmacies are operated by cooperative societies and private entrepreneurs, with the government offering a ₹3 lakh loan facility through cooperative banks to support their establishment.
To assess the impact of this initiative, South First conducted a field study, visiting several Mudhalvar Marundhagam stores, including newly opened outlets.
According to the Press Information Bureau, India’s pharmaceutical industry, valued at $50 billion for FY 2023-24, plays a crucial role in both domestic and global healthcare markets. Domestic consumption stands at $23.5 billion, while exports have reached $26.5 billion, making India the third-largest pharmaceutical producer by volume and 14th in terms of production value.
The industry has a highly diversified product base, including generic drugs, bulk drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vaccines, biosimilars, and biologics, reinforcing its strong global presence.
According to the National Accounts Statistics 2024, published by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the total output for pharmaceuticals, medicinal, and botanical products was ₹4,56,246 crore for FY 2022-23 at constant prices, with a value-added contribution of ₹1,75,583 crore. The sector also provided employment to 9,25,811 individuals during the same period.
With the rising cost of medicines, initiatives like Mudhalvar Marundhagam play a vital role in ensuring affordable access to essential drugs, reducing financial strain on families, and strengthening Tamil Nadu’s public healthcare system.
The Union Government already operates low-cost medical stores across India, including Tamil Nadu. According to government data, there are 1,363 Prime Minister’s Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMJAK) in the state, offering medicines at 30 to 90 percent discounts.
This raises an important question: Why was there a need for Mudhalvar Marundhagam? How does it differ from Jan Aushadhi Kendras?
A key difference is the types of medicines sold. Based on field visits, Jan Aushadhi Kendras (Makkal Marundhagam) primarily stock allopathic medicines. In contrast, Mudhalvar Marundhagam offers a wider range, including allopathy, Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicines. Additionally, these stores sell both generic and branded medicines at discounted rates.
The ownership and management models of these initiatives also differ.
Mudhalvar Marundhagam operates under two models:
Jan Aushadhi Kendras, on the other hand, follow a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
While both initiatives aim to provide affordable medicines, Mudhalvar Marundhagam expands accessibility by including alternative medicine systems and introducing a mixed governance model involving both cooperative societies and private entities.
Field visits by South First revealed significant price differences between Mudhalvar Marundhagam, Makkal Marundhagam, and private pharmacies.
According to these figures, Mudhalvar Marundhagam’s prices are 30 to 60 percent lower than Makkal Marundhagam. Compared to private pharmacies, the price difference ranges from 200 to 1,650 percent.
Branded medicines are also significantly cheaper at Mudhalvar Marundhagam. For example:
Speaking to South First, Mudhalvar Marunthagam pharmacist G Parthiban said:
“Like private medical stores, all medicines are available at Mudhalvar Marundhagam. Right now, we are in the development phase. Based on the needs of each locality, we will request and receive supplies from the district storage.”
The government has already set up district-wise medicine storage units across Tamil Nadu.
A Makkal Marundhagam pharmacist, who wished to remain anonymous, said their stores also stock essential medicines but sometimes lack certain vitamin tablets and rare medicines.
The South First field visit found that Mudhalvar Marundhagam initiatives are making affordable medicines accessible to the public, significantly reducing costs compared to private players.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
