CM Pharmacies Beat Jan Aushadhis on Med Prices

Outlets of the Mudhalvar Marundhagam (Chief Minister's Pharmacy), inaugurated last month by Chief Minister M K Stalin across Tamil Nadu, seem to be selling medicines at lower prices not only compared to private pharmacies but also the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra (Jan Aushadhi) outlets, which operate on a similar model under the union government.

- SINDUJA JANE @ Chennai

A comparison of commonly-used medicines for diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol purchased by TNIE from outlets in Chennai revealed that generic medicines at CM's Pharmacies are roughly 30% cheaper than those at Jan Aushadhi outlets. The price difference appears to stem from two factors: the easy availability of generics in CM's Pharmacies and discounts of up to 25%, which are not offered at Jan Aushadhi outlets.

While the Jan Aushadhi outlets are expected to sell generic medicines, visits to three stores in Chennai showed that the staff offered branded generics by default—which are costlier than generics—and provided generic alternatives only upon insistence. In contrast, CM's Pharmacies dispensed generics by default in the outlets visited by TNIE.

Generics refer to drugs sold under their chemical formulation names, while branded generics are the same drugs marketed under brand names of companies. Both contain identical active ingredients and are considered bioequivalents.