EPS demands revival of Amma pharmacies in Tamil Nadu for affordable medicines
Synopsis
AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami has taken aim at the DMK government over medicine affordability, demanding the revival of Amma pharmacies — a Jayalalithaa-era initiative he says the ruling party dismantled after 2021. With a Supreme Court hearing on drug pricing already underway and Tamil Nadu's state polls looming, the battle over affordable healthcare is becoming a defining political fault line.
Key Takeaways
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K.
Palaniswami on 1 November 2026 demanded the revival of Amma pharmacies in Tamil Nadu.
Amma pharmacies were launched by former CM J.
Jayalalithaa in 2014 to provide subsidised essential medicines through the cooperative sector.
Palaniswami alleged the DMK government dismantled the network after taking office in 2021 and replaced it with a private-participation model under the 'Chief Minister's Pharmacy' brand.
He cited the All India Drug Action Network on profit margins exceeding 30 per cent on certain lifesaving drugs.
The Supreme Court on 27 October reportedly sought explanations from the Centre and states on hospital medicine pricing.
Palaniswami contrasted healthcare neglect with the government's projected ₹1,200–₹1,600 crore additional annual revenue from TASMAC liquor tax hikes.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday, 1 November 2026, accused the Tamil Nadu government of neglecting affordable healthcare and demanded the immediate restoration of Amma pharmacies to provide essential medicines at subsidised prices. Palaniswami alleged that rising drug costs are placing a growing burden on poor and middle-class families, particularly those dependent on lifesaving medicines.
Background: The Amma Pharmacy Initiative
Palaniswami recalled that former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa launched the Amma pharmacy network through the cooperative sector in 2014, with the express aim of making essential medicines accessible at affordable prices. The move came amid concerns over pharmaceutical companies charging excessive rates for their products.
Under his own leadership of the AIADMK government, Palaniswami said the pharmacy network was subsequently expanded statewide, enabling patients to significantly reduce their medical expenditure and improve access to treatment.
Allegations Against the DMK Government
Palaniswami alleged that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, which assumed office in 2021 under Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, systematically undermined the initiative. He claimed the DMK discontinued Amma pharmacy operations and promoted an alternative under the 'Chief Minister's Pharmacy' banner with private participation — an arrangement he said had also failed to receive adequate attention from the present government.
He cited the All India Drug Action Network to underscore that concerns persist over pharmaceutical companies selling certain lifesaving medicines at profit margins exceeding 30 per cent. Palaniswami also referenced proceedings in the Supreme Court on 27 October, in which the court reportedly sought explanations from both the Centre and state governments regarding drug prices charged at hospitals.
The TASMAC Contrast
In a pointed comparison, Palaniswami contrasted the government's approach to healthcare affordability with its projected additional annual revenue of ₹1,200 crore to ₹1,600 crore from increased taxation on liquor sold through TASMAC outlets. Critics argue this framing highlights what they see as the government's skewed fiscal priorities — investing in alcohol revenue while allegedly allowing medicine costs to spiral.
Palaniswami's Demand
Palaniswami urged the Tamil Nadu government to make Amma pharmacies fully operational once again, ensuring affordable medicines reach vulnerable households. He questioned whether the government would prioritise the healthcare needs of ordinary people and act to ease their financial burden.
This is the latest in a series of healthcare-access criticisms levelled by the AIADMK against the DMK administration since 2021, with affordable medicine pricing emerging as a recurring flashpoint ahead of the next state electoral cycle.
Point of View
He forces the DMK to defend a policy gap rather than simply rebut a political rival. The Supreme Court's concurrent attention to drug pricing gives the criticism independent credibility beyond party rhetoric. However, the AIADMK's own record on Amma pharmacy expansion merits scrutiny — independent audits of coverage and pricing impact during that period were limited. The deeper issue is structural: Tamil Nadu, like most states, lacks a robust last-mile generic medicine distribution framework, and neither Amma pharmacies nor the Chief Minister's Pharmacy model has been independently evaluated at scale.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Amma pharmacies in Tamil Nadu?
Amma pharmacies are a cooperative-sector medicine retail network launched in 2014 by then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa to provide essential medicines at subsidised prices. The network was subsequently expanded under the AIADMK government led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami before reportedly being discontinued by the DMK after 2021.
Why is Edappadi K. Palaniswami demanding the revival of Amma pharmacies?
Palaniswami alleges the DMK government dismantled the subsidised pharmacy network and replaced it with a private-participation model that has not adequately addressed rising medicine costs. He argues that poor and middle-class families, especially those on lifesaving drugs, are bearing an increasing financial burden as a result.
What did the Supreme Court say about medicine pricing?
According to Palaniswami's statement, the Supreme Court on 27 October sought explanations from the Centre and state governments regarding the prices charged for medicines at hospitals. The proceedings were cited as evidence of a broader national concern over drug affordability.
What is the 'Chief Minister's Pharmacy' that replaced Amma pharmacies?
According to Palaniswami, the DMK government launched a 'Chief Minister's Pharmacy' model with private-sector participation after discontinuing Amma pharmacy operations post-2021. He claims this replacement has also not received adequate government attention, leaving medicine affordability unaddressed.
How does the TASMAC revenue figure factor into this political debate?
Palaniswami cited the Tamil Nadu government's projected additional annual revenue of ₹1,200 crore to ₹1,600 crore from liquor tax hikes through TASMAC to argue the administration prioritises alcohol revenue over accessible healthcare for the poor and middle class.
