An Analysis of the Drug Distribution Model in the Public Health Services in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Based on the field work in Tamil Nadu, this article analyses the procurement and dissemination functioning of the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC), including the problems faced by different stakeholders’ viz. doctors, patients and pharmaceutical companies and also the stakeholders outside Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu model of procurement and distribution of medicines under TNMSC is acclaimed as a successful model for its centralized-swift actions. However there were some inconsistencies hampering TNMSC to remain a model as there were the no availability of drugs as per approved essential drugs list, shortage and incomplete availability of drugs, and a shift from centralized procurement to local purchase arrangement of some drugs across Tamil Nadu. It also observed not only the quantity, quality and number of drugs procured and distributed, not matching with the health need of patients, but also the doses are not effective. In order to do that there is a need to revamp its centralized procurement pattern and dissemination of drugs to various public health systems in Tamil Nadu. By doing this, it can avoid the high-cost private medicines being promoted even by government doctors, and truly make the public health system successful and a top model in this country.