Kerala State-Owned Drug Manufacturer Turns Profitable, Plans to Produce Cancer Medicines

The efforts of Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala to revive the state-owned drug manufacturer, Kerala State Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited (KSDP), have made a difference, as the company turned to a profitable one, this year. The Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) KSDP has made a profit of Rs 2.87 crore, and the total turnover has been increased to Rs 42.38 crore.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, whose government completed its 1000 days in power, inaugurated a new non-beta-lactam plant at KSDP on Monday. KSDP has been manufacturing and supplying essential and life-saving medicines to cater to the need of the common patients who depend on the government hospitals in the state. It can produce more than 158 types of medicines.

The newly inaugurated non-beta-lactam plant, which was set up, following international standards, was promised in 2017. During the inauguration, Vijayan expressed his contentment over the timely completion of the project, and about Rs 32.52 crores has been spent for this plant.

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At present, KSDP produces medicines that have been used by patients who undergo organ transplant surgery. Eight out of total 11 of such medicines are being produced at the plant. Soon, the production of the rest of the three medicines and soft gelatin capsules will start in this plant. The new plant can produce 180 crore tablets, 5.03 crore capsules, more than one crore liquid medicine bottles, 1.5 crores ORS packets, and so on every year.

“The government will ensure availability of these medicines for patients for a minimum price,” the chief minister said in a Facebook post.

The foundation stone for another plant – a non-beta lactam injunction – was also laid on the same occasion by the state finance minister Thomas Isaac. This plant will be completed by the next year, and following this, KSDP – an integral part of the comprehensive health policy – would step into the production of cancer medicines.

Majority of the people in the state rely on the public health care system for cancer treatment. “The government sector has always been ahead when it comes to cancer treatment, with 66% of the care being provided by government hospitals. Public sector cancer care facilities in the State have been growing in leaps and bounds and we expect the system to deliver 85% of the care soon,” said Rajeev Sadanandan, additional chief secretary (health).

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The medicines should be available for minimum cost for cancer treatment which, in the private sector, could be pretty unaffordable to the most, and that is why the KSDP is stepping into the production of cancer medicines, he added.

The state’s public health sector, certainly, saw a boost through various projects under the current LDF government. An official release quoting Rajeev Sadanandan said that 40 per cent of the state rely on the public health sector.

“Increased footfall in our public health institutions is an indication that the work over the past two years — improvements in health system infrastructure, provision of better treatment facilities, human resources and public amenities in government hospitals — are beginning to pay off. If in 2014, only 34% of the population utilized the public health system, today, 40% of the people are visiting government hospitals,” said the official release.

“The government plans to transform KSDP as a major drug production unit through more projects,” said the chief minister.

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