Generic medicines sound new…..yes this term was new to me like
many others when I heard the term for the first time in the 4th
episode of Amir khan’s show‘satyamev jayetay’. The particular episode was on
the discrepancies and corruption involved in selling of medicines in our country.
And the was very successful in making the term popular.Though generic drugs are
not a newly introduced medicines; in fact India is global leader of these
medicines.
The generic name is
the official medical name for the active ingredients of the medicines. These
drugs are having the same chemical composition as branded drugs are and sold
under their chemical name. As Paracetamol a painkiller is the generic name for
branded drugs for branded drugs Crocin and Calpol.
But generic medicines are not as popular as the branded ones are.
There are many reasons behind the unpopularity of these drugs. The first is
that this drugs are much cheaper than the branded ones for which the
pharmaceuticals doesn’t practice their sell. Besides the different
pharmaceuticals, dealers and semi-dealers Doctors to be playing a role in
restricting the circulation of this cheaper drugs. Chemists have to hand out
exactly what’s written on the prescription. And many Doctors even who are
practicing in Government hospitals don’t hand out generic medicines. There is a
distinct lack of awareness also among the among people about the effectiveness
of the generic medicines. Also since these medicines comparatively cheaper than
the branded drugs, people who can afford branded drugs don’t prefer to buy them
believing that they are less effective.
To promote cheap drugs in market in 2008, Government had set
up a scheme to set up generic drugs store around the country. Though according
to the plan more than 3000stores were to be opened but they were successful in
setting up only 300.The department of pharmaceuticals of the Government is responsible
for promoting this cheaper generic medicines but they not fully successful in
their job.Satyamev jayetey had played an important an important role in Maharashtra
government giving medicines the green signal to allot more generic medicines
stores in the state. Generic medicines are the answer to better health care for
all. And the way to promote these drugs is to curb illicit medical practices.
Through the MCI guidelines dictate that Doctors should prescribe generic
medicines. The Jan Ausadhi scheme should to strengthen.