The Andhra Pradesh government, in collaboration with the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), has announced plans to provide generic medicines for animals. This initiative aims to address shortages and rising prices of veterinary drugs. As part of a pilot project, five to six generic veterinary medical shops will be established in each district. Based on the response from cattle and livestock owners, the government intends to scale up the initiative. This move marks an expansion of the state's generic medicine network to improve access for livestock.
Background of the Generic Medicine Network
The government had introduced generic medicine shops across the state nearly a decade and a half ago when then Visakhapatnam district collector Syamala Rao initiated the program. Interestingly, generic medicines account for only 7% of the total medicine sales in Andhra Pradesh, against an estimated overall market of Rs 10,000 crore. At present, the state has 325 generic medicine outlets, including 215 Jan Aushadhi shops, 73 Anna Sanjivini stores, and 37 other outlets. Despite their limited number, these stores serve a large beneficiary base.
Extension to Animal Healthcare
With branded veterinary medicines facing shortages and price hikes, the government has now focused on extending the generic medicine model to animal healthcare. It is widely observed that even government veterinarians, along with private practitioners, rarely prescribe generic medicines. To address this gap, the government has initiated the supply of generic veterinary medicines through SERP, with the support of DWCRA self-help groups.
Implementation in Vizianagaram and Other Districts
In Vizianagaram district, generic veterinary medical shops will be set up at Bobbili, S Kota, Vizianagaram, Cheepurupalli, and Rambhadrapuram. Similar arrangements will be made in other districts, with five to six shops planned in the initial phase.
Livestock Population in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh has a substantial livestock population, with about 46 lakh cattle and 62.2 lakh buffaloes. The state is a major livestock hub, ranking among the top in sheep population at 1.76 crore and goats at 5.22 lakh. The total livestock population stands at 3.41 crore, marking a growth of 15.86% since 2012, according to the 20th Livestock Census (2019). Animal Husbandry sources said the state tops the country in poultry with 10.05 crore birds and has a sheep population of nearly 21 crore when non-census estimates are included. Sheep meat production has reached 4.18 lakh kilograms, they added.
Availability and Support
Joint director of animal husbandry, Srikakulam, Kancharana Rajagopala Rao said generic veterinary medicines would be available within a month, as the government has already instructed districts to establish the outlets. He added that the shops would be set up with support from the Centre and would stock medicines for various animal diseases.
