West Bengal to launch 375 fair price medicine shops for animals

West Bengal is set to establish 375 fair price medicine shops for pet animals and birds, known as Pashu Aushadhi Vikray Kendras (PAVKs). Managed by the Directorate of Animal Resources and Animal Health, these outlets will operate as part of the Union Government’s Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme.

The network will include one state-level center in Kolkata, 30 district-level shops, and 344 block-level shops. The initiative aims to provide medicines and vaccines for pets and livestock at significantly lower rates than private clinics and pet shops.

Government officials stated that the shops are intended to curb alleged scams where certain veterinary doctors and pharmaceutical representatives reportedly bypass generic options in favor of expensive branded medicines in exchange for commissions. By providing affordable alternatives, the state aims to protect both pet owners and those dependent on livestock for their livelihoods.