Once dismissed as unreliable, govt- supplied generic medicines are gaining traction — thanks to soaring medical costs.
Medicines can be sub-divided into three categories: generic drugs, branded generics, and branded drugs.
A generic drug is one that is sold under its chemical name, rather than under a specific brand name. Branded generic is a medicine that contains the same active ingredients, and is intended to have same dosage, quality, and use as their generic counterparts but are typically sold by pharmaceutical companies under a brand name.
On the other hand, branded medicines are products developed and marketed by the original manufacturers. Most medicines sold in India are branded generics, since branded drugs are prohibitively expensive.
CHANGING PERCEPTIONS:
Generic drugs were received poorly when the Jan Aushadhi scheme was launched in 2008, but people’s outlook towards it is changing, slowly. this is also reflected in govt data.
Until 2014-15 — six years since the launch of the scheme to provide generic medicines at affordable prices — there were only 80 Jan Aushadi stores in the country, and their sales value stood at around Rs 7.5 crore.
“One of the key concerns of patients seeking to use generic medicines sold at Jan Aushadhi stores is quality.” One should know that all drugs sold at Jan Aushadhi stores are centrally procured from the World Health Organization (WHO)– Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers. And it’s not just that. Each batch of drugs, after being received at the warehouses, is tested at laboratories accredited by the National creditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) to ensure best quality.”
Even the packaging of the drugs, sold at govt-approved stores, have recently been improved to make them “more presentable”, adding that many new items — sanitary pads, BP monitors, nebulizers and thermometers — are now available.
PMBI also has a mobile app — Janaushadhi Suguam, a single-window platform to assist users to locate nearby PMBJKs (Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendra, the dedicated sales outlets), search for medicines and telephone numbers, among other things.
LINGERING DOUBTS:
Centre has also, from time to time, directed doctors to prescribe drugs with generic names. States have also been advised to ensure prescription of generic drugs and conduct regular prescription audits of public health facilities.
But the scepticism around generics refuses to go away, though govt has repeatedly assured the public about their safety.
Branded generics are tried and tested, which is even doctors tend to prefer those over generic medicines. But things are changing slowly.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED:
Doctors were not against generic medicines. “But the quality of those drugs should be certified by govt.”
The study recommends improving accessibility, affordability, availability, and customer satisfaction of generic medicines.
HOW GENERIC MEDICINES HELP SAVE MONEY AND LIVES:
Paracetamol tablets 650 mg:
(Pain & Fever medication)
Average Market Price — Rs 33
Jan Anushadi price — Rs 15
Imatinib tablets 400 mg:
(Cancer treatment)
Average Market Price — Rs 2,158
Jan Aushadhi Price — Rs 225
Pantoprazole Gastro-resistant tablets 40 mg:
(For Acidity)
Average Market Price — Rs 90.
Jan Aushadi Price — Rs 12
Atorvastatin tablets 20 mg:
(lowers cholesterol)
Average Market Price — Rs 147
Jan Aushadhi Price — Rs 12
Geftinib tablets 250 mg:
(Cancer treatment)
Average Market Price – Rs 2,635
Jan Aushadhi Price – Rs 440
