Why Access to Affordable Medicines is Essential for Rural India

Healthcare is one of the most important needs of every person. However, it is still a challenge for millions of people living in the rural India. Undoubtedly, the cities have many hospitals, clinics and pharmacies but people in villages often struggle to get even basic medicines. Moreover, the lack of proper medical facilities and the high cost of medicines make their situation even more difficult. In this blog, we will understand why access to affordable medicines is so important for rural India.

The Reality of Healthcare in Rural India

Almost 65% of India’s population lives in rural areas and mostly advanced medical facilities are available in urban regions only. On the other hand, the villages usually have health centres or government clinics, which often do not have enough staff or medicines. The private pharmacies are also limited and people may have to travel long distances to buy even the basic medicines. This gap creates serious problems for patients who need urgent treatment.

The Burden of High Medical Costs

The income levels of the families living in rural areas are usually low. A large number of people living there depend on farming, daily labour and small businesses for their survival. That is why when they are sick, it becomes hard for them to spend a huge portion of their earnings on medicines. The high cost of treatments not just affects the patient but also pushes their entire family into the financial distress. Moreover, people avoid taking proper medicines due to their high prices in many cases.

Importance of Preventing Untreated Diseases

The small health problems can turn into major diseases if the people do not get the right medicines on time. For example, a common infection can spread quickly in the body if it is not treated with antibiotics on time. In a similar way, people with chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma and hypertension need medicines regularly. If they don’t get their medicines, then such diseases can turn into life-threatening ones. However, many rural families can’t afford them and without proper treatment, these conditions can become very tough to manage. That is why affordable medicines should be available to people in the rural areas to reduce complications and support overall health. 

Role of Affordable Medicines in Reducing Health Inequality

There is a big gap between urban and rural healthcare in India. Basically, the people can find branded medicines, hospitals and pharmacies in cities. On the other hand, they can’t even find medical shops nearby or afford the costly medicines in villages. The access to affordable medicines can reduce this gap between rural and urban healthcare. The people of villages can also live healthier lives just like the people living in cities when they have access to low-cost medicines. 

Supporting Maternal and Child Health

The rural areas of India have very high rates of maternal and child health problems. Many pregnant women do not get the proper medicines during pregnancy which increases the risk of complications. The children who suffer from malnutrition, infections and lack of vaccination also have higher chances of complications. To safeguard the health of mothers and children, the pharmaceutical companies can supply affordable supplements, vaccines and medicines in their areas.

Encouraging Trust in the Healthcare System

The people start trusting the healthcare system more when they see that they can get safe, effective and affordable medicines. Many people prefer home remedies or local healers as they believe that modern healthcare is too costly. If the government and private pharma companies work together to make the medicines available at affordable prices, the villagers will feel more secure in visiting the doctors and taking prescribed treatments. 

Boosting Rural Economy and Productivity

It is undeniable that good health is directly linked to better productivity. A sick population cannot contribute effectively to farming, small businesses or other rural industries. When medicines are affordable and people can recover quickly, they can continue their work without long breaks. This thing not only improves the family income but also the rural economy as a whole. The pharmaceutical companies can help people recover quickly and return to work by providing cost-effective medicines that boost their productivity.

Strengthening Supply Chains

The supply chain system needs to be reliable in order to make sure that medicines reach rural areas easily. That is because many times, the clinics in the village face a shortage or delay in stock which creates a problem for the patients. These issues can be solved with better planning of transport, proper monitoring and safe storage. The government agencies and pharmaceutical companies can work together to ensure that the essential medicines are always available in rural health centres. Also, a strong supply system reduces dependence on the pharmacies that are located far away. 

Training Rural Healthcare Workers

The healthcare workers in the villages are often the ones that patients contact when they are suffering from illness. That is why training them with the right knowledge about medicines, doses and treatment methods can improve healthcare results. So that they can:

• Identify common illnesses
• Remind patients to complete medicines
• Guide serious cases to hospitals

This approach not only improves the correct use of medicines but also reduces their misuse and incomplete treatments.

Final Thoughts

The people in rural areas think that good-quality medicines at affordable prices are a luxury. However, the fact is that it is not a luxury but a basic need for every person. The availability of medicines that are of good quality and available at low cost can really make a big difference where hospitals and facilities are limited. They can reduce big health problems, prevent serious diseases and help families live healthier lives in rural areas.

At Jantec Pharma, our aim is to make safe and affordable medicines available for everyone, including people living in villages. We are committed to supporting the healthcare that reaches every part of the country and to building a healthier future for all. Along with this, we also provide monopoly rights and PCD pharma franchise opportunities to people who want to start their own pharma franchise business. This will also help to get the best-quality medicines delivered more easily in different rural regions of India.