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Hans India
07-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Karnataka Govt Orders Closure of Janaushadhi Kendras in Govt Hospitals, Sparks Row Over Welfare Rollback
Davangere/Bengaluru: In a controversial move that is likely to affect thousands of poor patients, the Karnataka government has directed the closure of Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK) functioning within government hospital premises. These centres, established under a central scheme, offer generic medicines at significantly lower prices and have been a crucial component in providing affordable healthcare to the underprivileged. District health authorities across Karnataka have received orders to shut down Janaushadhi outlets located inside government-run hospitals. In Davangere district alone, five such centres—located at hospitals in Channagiri, Honnali, Jagalur, Harihara, and the district hospital in Davangere city—have been marked for closure. The order does not affect Janaushadhi Kendras located outside hospital premises. The decision has triggered widespread protests from healthcare activists and the public. Critics allege that the state government is playing into the hands of private pharmaceutical lobbies by dismantling a scheme that disrupted the branded drug market and empowered patients through access to quality generics. 'The closure of these centres will push the poor back into a situation where life-saving drugs are priced beyond their means,' said Vasu Avaragere, a health rights activist, warning of intensified protests if the decision is not reversed. State's Justification: Free Drugs Through State Procurement Justifying the move, health department officials said the state is in the process of sourcing medicines directly through Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd (KSMSCL) under special pricing agreements with public sector manufacturers. According to the District Health Officer, Dr. S Shanmukhappa, government hospitals have been directed to distribute medicines free of cost using KSMSCL supplies, making the Janaushadhi Kendras "redundant" within hospital campuses. 'Since patients are now getting free medicines at the hospital, the government has decided to discontinue only those PMBJKs functioning within government hospital premises,' he said. However, this justification has raised eyebrows as ground-level implementation of free drug supply has often been patchy and inconsistent, especially in rural Karnataka. Political and Federal Implications The move is being seen by political analysts as part of a larger trend by Congress-ruled states like Karnataka and West Bengal to distance themselves from centrally sponsored schemes, especially those associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives. Observers argue that this approach challenges the spirit of federal cooperation and may hamper uniform delivery of welfare across states. 'This is not just a bureaucratic decision. It signals a political reluctance to credit or comply with Central schemes, regardless of public benefit. It mirrors what we have seen in West Bengal, where the state often refuses to implement or rebrands Central schemes,' said a Bengaluru-based public policy expert. The PMBJP, launched in 2008 and scaled up under the Modi government, operates over 10,000 centres nationwide and is lauded for making essential medicines affordable, particularly in underserved areas. Centre Likely to Intervene Given the backlash and potential violation of a national welfare mandate, the Centre is expected to seek an explanation from the Karnataka government. With the general public and activists demanding a rollback, the issue could snowball into a federal flashpoint between the State and the Union. Meanwhile, patients and their families who rely on government hospitals are left in the lurch. Many say that while free medicines are promised, availability remains uncertain, and Janaushadhi Kendras filled that crucial gap. 'This decision doesn't just affect pharmacies; it affects people's lives,' said Ramesh, a daily wage worker at Harihara. 'These centres were the only way I could afford my blood pressure medicines every month.' As the state braces for mounting protests, the fate of Karnataka's Janaushadhi Kendras — and the poor who depend on them — hangs in the balance.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Karnata Govt agency orders dispatch of 89,389 vials of rabies vaccine to hospitals
Bengaluru: In response to growing concerns over the shortage of emergency vaccines, the state health dept has initiated corrective measures to ensure the uninterrupted availability of anti-rabies vaccines (ARV) and anti-snake venom (ASV) across the state. The move comes after several public hospitals reported dwindling stocks and delayed updates on the e-Aushada platform, triggering fears of delayed treatment for animal attack and snakebite victims—conditions that require immediate medical intervention. Currently, 1.5 lakh vials of ARV are available in state-run hospitals. To further bolster supplies, the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation (KSMSCL), the nodal agency for procurement, issued an order to dispatch 89,389 vials of rabies immunoglobulin to hospitals across the state within the next two weeks. Dr Raghunandan, deputy director of non-communicable diseases (NCD), told TOI that while some vaccine stock is available in hospitals, the larger supply for this year is still in the procurement stage at KSMSCL. "We realised the available quantity would not be sufficient for ongoing treatments. Instructions have been issued to ensure strict compliance with stock management protocols and real-time inventory updates in all govt health facilities," he said. Asked about the readiness of storage infrastructure, Dr Raghunandan clarified that the department scaled up facilities to safely store the incoming stock. "We ramped up storage to ensure none of the vials goes to waste. Our focus is on 100% utilisation without unnecessary discards," he added. Karnataka has reported 1.9 lakh dog bites and 16 related deaths, along with 4,786 snakebites and 36 fatalities so far this year. To streamline the vaccine supply and prevent future lapses, the department issued a fresh set of operational guidelines to district health authorities and institutional medical officers. Facilities have been instructed to update patient-wise drug usage daily on the Aushada software, allowing real-time visibility of stocks and consumption. Indents must now be raised strictly based on actual usage, not assumptions or stockpiling, to prevent hoarding and ensure equitable distribution. District officials have been directed to monitor stock levels closely, track usage patterns, and intervene to avoid artificial shortages. Hospitals holding excess stock must redistribute it within their districts before placing fresh requests, and all local procurements must be recorded immediately on the Aushada platform to maintain visibility at all levels. Compliance will be closely monitored by the district health officers and reported to the state's Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). The department warned that any institutional lapses in following these protocols will invite strict action.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Sarvatrika Arogya Andolana – Karnataka calls for urgent reforms to ensure regular supply of free medicines to patients
Welcoming the Karnataka government's decision to close down Janaushadhi Kendras on the premises of government facilities, members of the Sarvatrika Arogya Andolana–Karnataka (SAA-K), a coalition of 30 networks advocating 'Health for All', has called for urgent measures to ensure uninterrupted availability and free access to essential medicines within public health facilities. Asserting that the closure of around 180 Janaushadhi Kendras on government hospital premises is only a first step, SAA-K members said urgent measures must follow to guarantee that no patient is forced to buy medicines, whether from private pharmacies or Jan Aushadhi stores. Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, Rajesh Kumar, convener of SAA-K Bangalore Urban district, said: 'The closure of Janaushadhi Kendras on government hospital premises corrects a contradiction: medicines should be provided free at public facilities, and their sale within the same premises undermined that very promise.' Reform KSMSCL 'The government must now focus on strengthening Karnataka State Medical Services Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) and ensuring uninterrupted supply of quality medicines in all government facilities,' said another member Ritash, a writer and an LGBTQIA+ peer counsellor. Asha Kilaru, a public health researcher with SAAK, said KSMSCL must match the efficiency, transparency, and quality of the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC). With better systems, KSMSCL can procure more medicines with the same budget and reduce dependence on Janaushadhi Kendras. It lowers out-of-pocket expenses, an SDG goal. 'NITI Aayog's claim that PMBJKs sold ₹935.25 crore worth of medicines in 2023–24 (reportedly saving people ₹4,680 crore) misses the point that this figure represents money spent by people out-of-pocket, much of which could have been saved by a robust public procurement and free distribution system similar to Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Kerala,' she said. Misinformation Pointing towards misinformation on the government's move to close Janaushadhi Kendras on government hospital premises, Prasanna, public health researcher at SAAK, said these kendras outside government facilities remain operational. 'Over 1,400 stores continue to function across Karnataka, allowing continued access to affordable generic medicines for those who can buy it. Some vested interests are falsely claiming that this move denies people access to affordable medicines. In truth, the real issue is the lack of availability of free medicines inside government facilities, which forces patients to spend from their own pockets whether at retail drug stores or Janaushadhi stores, and urgent necessary reforms are needed to correct it,' he added.
