Kerala expands Karunya Sparsham zero profit cancer drug scheme

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s health sector continues to build on its reputation for people -centred policy with a fresh expansion of the Karunya Sparsham – Zero Profit Anti- Cancer Drugs initiative. Health Minister Veena George announced the addition of 58 new Karunya Sparsham counters across the state, taking the total number to 72.

The project, implemented through the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL), aims to make costly cancer medicines available to patients at the lowest possible rates, completely free of profit margins.

Launched on August 29, 2024, by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the scheme initially began with 14 Karunya Pharmacies, one in each district. Following its success, the initiative has been widened to include more counters across government hospitals and cancer care centres.

Currently, 247 branded oncology medicines are sold under this scheme at zero profit prices. Since its inception, drugs worth 6.88 crore rupees in the open market have been provided to patients for just 2.26 crore rupees, saving the public an estimated 4.62 crore rupees.

The government is now exploring the inclusion of high-cost medicines required for organ transplant surgeries under the zero-profit umbrella, expanding access for patients battling other life-threatening conditions.

Senior officials from the Health and Family Welfare Department, Directorate of Medical Education, National Health Mission, KMSCL, and major cancer institutes like RCC, CCRI, and MCC attended the event marking the expansion.

The Karunya Sparsham project stands as another example of the Kerala model’s commitment to equitable healthcare, where social welfare is placed above profit, and public health continues to remain a collective responsibility.