Thirty-eight Mudhalvar Marundhagams (Chief Minister’s Pharmacies) became functional in Tiruchi district with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurating the project in Chennai on Monday.
Medicines, including generic medicines, would be available at discounted prices at the pharmacies. Among the 1,000 pharmacies launched across the State, 50% are to be run by the Department of Cooperation and the rest by entrepreneurs.
In Tiruchi district, the Manapparai Assembly constituency would have the maximum of seven pharmacies. Five pharmacies each would function in the Tiruverumbur, Lalgudi, Musiri, and Tiruchi East Assembly constituencies, four each in Tiruchi West and Thuraiyur segment, two in Srirangam and one in Manachanallur Assembly segment.
Collector M. Pradeep Kumar and Mayor M. Anbazhagan were present at a pharmacy at K.K. Nagar in the city and inaugurated the first sale even as the Chief Minister inaugurated the scheme in Chennai.
Entrepreneurs are given a subsidy of ₹3 lakh, including ₹1.50 lakh for purchase of medicines, while cooperatives would be get ₹2 lakh. Applications were received from entrepreneurs and cooperative societies for setting up the pharmacies, Mr. Pradeep Kumar said in a press release.
In Thanjavur, Minister for Higher Education Govi. Chezhiaan inaugurated the first sale at the pharmacy of a cooperative society at Thiruvidaimarudhur in the presence of Collector Priyanka B. Pankajam and other officials. Thirty-two pharmacies, including eight in Thanjavur taluk, have been established in the district.
Minister for Law M. Reghupathy inaugurated the first sale at a pharmacy at Ponnamavarathy in the presence of Collector M. Aruna. Pudukottai district will have 16 such pharmacies, including nine run by cooperative societies.
Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar, who inaugurated the first sale at a pharmacy in Senthurai, said 18 Mudhalvar Marundhagams will function in Ariyalur district. Collector P. Rathninasamy was present.
In Karur district, 27 Mudhalvar Marundhagams have been set up. Of this, 11 were operated by cooperative societies and 16 by entrepreneurs. Collector M. Thangavel, who inaugurated the first sale at a pharmacy at Thanthonrimalai in the town, said applicants can get loans over and above the subsidy extended to them under the scheme.
Seventeen pharmacies became functional in Perambalur district, according to Collector Grace Pachuau. Tiruvarur district had been sanctioned 25 pharmacies, of which 11 will be run by cooperative societies, Collector V. Mohanachandran said.
In Nagapattinam district, District Collector P. Akash inaugurated a pharmacy on Nagore Main Road. Twelve pharmacies were opened in the district, including seven run by private entrepreneurs in Vedaranyam (Karuppampulam, Katharipulam, Marudur North), Nagapattinam (Palpannaicheri, Nagore Main Road, Sikkal), and Keezhvelur. Five cooperative-run pharmacies were opened at the Nagapattinam Consumer Cooperative Wholesale Warehouse, Vedaranyam Agricultural Producers Cooperative Society (Puthagaram), and Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies in Velankanni and Kangalanjeri.
In Mayiladuthurai district, District Collector A.P. Mahabharathi, inaugurated a Mudhalvar Marundhagam pharmacy in Kumaran Nagar. A total of 18 pharmacies were launched, with 15 run by private entrepreneurs and three by cooperative societies. New pharmacies were set up in Mayiladuthurai taluk (Kumaran Nagar, Mannampandal, Sendhankudi, Periyakkannara Street, Manalmedu), Kuthalam taluk (Thiruvalangadu), Tharangambadi taluk (Poraiyar, Raja Veethi), and Sirkazhi taluk (Umayalpathi, Thiruvengadu, Thenpathi, Pidari West Street, Vaitheeswaran Koil, Sattanathapuram, Edamanal, Pachai Perumal Nallur).
