The chain is called "Amma", the Tamil for "mother". This is how chief minister Jayalalithaa is popularly called. She inaugurated a total of 10 shops in seven districts, but officials said 90 more would be opened this year. Regular chemists' protest against it.

Chennai (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The chief minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithha launched yesterday a chain of Amma Marundhagams, pharmacies to sell branded medicines at a cheaper rate. She inaugurated a total of 10 shops in seven districts, but officials said 90 more would be opened this year.

The chief minister is popularly called "Amma", the Tamil for "mother". With this brand name the government is already launched similar initiatives: Amma canteens, Amma water and Amma salt.

The Amma pharmacies will be located at bus stands and in major markets, where the demand is high and where there a few or no medical shops. They will sell also life-saving medicines at "fair prices".

Proving branded medicines at a discount of 10% to MRP (maximum retail price), the AIADMK of Jayalalithaa hopes to soften the impact of rising prices on the public. The 10 shops have been set up at the cost of 10m rupees (€122.117).

The welfare scheme promises to upend the pharma industry's pricing model. However, the new pharmacies have made the owners of regular chemist shop apprehensive. "Our business will be affected. We have no idea to what extent as of now, neither what kind of medicines will be sold in these shops," said N Anandan, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association.

A populist politician, Jayalalithaa is known for distributing freebies to people - in the past her government has given away laptops, fans and food processors.

 

 

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