Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Health Department has opened 58 new zero-profit counters under the “Karuna Sparsh – Zero Profit Anti-Cancer Drugs” initiative. Health Minister Veena George stated that the purpose of these counters is to make expensive cancer drugs available to patients at the lowest possible price. Cancer drugs are being sold at these counters at discounts of over 90%, without any profit.
So far, 247 branded chemotherapy drugs are available at zero-profit rates through Karuna Pharmacy. Since the launch of this initiative, drugs with a market price of ₹688 million have been provided to patients for just ₹226 million, resulting in a total direct benefit of ₹462 million to the public.
The Health Department is now exploring the possibility of including expensive medicines needed for organ transplant surgery in the zero-profit category. This would also allow patients to access treatment for other serious illnesses at significantly lower prices.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Karuna Sparsh counters in August 2024. Initially, the zero-profit anti-cancer counters were launched at 14 Karuna Pharmacies across all districts of the state. Given the success of this initiative, it has been expanded. A total of 72 Karuna Sparsh counters will now operate across the state.
This initiative is a huge relief for patients suffering from serious illnesses like cancer who are unable to afford expensive medications. Through zero-profit counters, the government is ensuring that no patient is denied treatment.
Health Minister Veena George said, “Our goal is to ensure that every needy patient has access to affordable and quality medicines.” She also stated that this initiative has resulted in savings of millions of rupees, which is directly benefiting the general public.
A plan is underway to bring medicines for complex surgeries like organ transplants to zero-profit levels. This will also provide significant relief to patients undergoing kidney, liver, or heart transplants. This is an important effort by the Kerala government to make healthcare accessible to the common man.
