“Generic are also effective”

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 4^th 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.