Make India the international capital for Generic Medicines: Vice President

The government has proposed amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules to ensure availability of generic drugs at reasonable prices and to promote the use of generic medicines. To ensure high quality, medicines are procured from WHO Good manufacturing practice (GMP), Current Good Manufacturing Practice and CPSUs manufacturers for supplying to Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras. Only after being certified by these laboratories, medicines are dispatched to C&F agents, Distributors and JAKs.

Lack of awareness

We at Medkart Pharmacy dream of making sure that everyone is truly aware of Generic Medicines. You can also buy essential medical products, branded or generic medicines online from medkart official website. Yes, generic medicines are available for a wide range of diseases, including chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and infectious diseases. Increasing the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras across India, especially in rural areas, can ensure the availability of generic medicines to even the most underserved populations. Branded drugs are developed after years of research and clinical trials, making the original manufacturer the exclusive seller for a specific time through a patent. This leads to lower costs because generic manufacturers do not incur the high expenses of research and marketing.

Benefits of the Jan Aushadhi Scheme Campaign

The paper concludes that the scheme holds immense promise but requires targeted efforts to overcome barriers to acceptance of generic drugs available under the scheme. Recommendations in-clude awareness campaigns, supply-side regulations, pricing policy review, and customer-centric strategies to further enhance the program’s impact and healthcare accessibility in India. The research findings suggest several key recommendations to enhance the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY) and improve accessibility, affordability, availabil-ity, and customer satisfaction of generic medicines. Firstly, launching targeted awareness campaigns is crucial to educate the public and healthcare providers about the benefits and quality of generic medicines, addressing misconceptions, and promoting their acceptance.

• It  has also introduced a range of fiscal incentives to promote domestic manufacturing, including the reduction of inverted duty structure and basic customs duty.
• Secondly, strengthening supply-side regulations, including quality assurance measures and regular audits, will ensure the availability of high-quality medicines.
• The government and the Pharma sector in unison have managed to effectively harness the power of Information technology to improve efficiency.
• On the other hand, India’s policy and lawmakers have identified generic competition as the strongest and most effective force to reduce drug prices.
• The demand for generic medicines is rising as the Jan Aushadhi stores, across the country, are serving lakh people per day.
• It has led to significant cost savings for consumers and positive feedback from customers.

Access to affordable HIV treatment from India is one of the greatest success stories in medicine

Generic medicines play a crucial role in promoting health equity by ensuring that medications are accessible to all segments of the population, regardless of socioeconomic status. This is particularly important in a diverse country like India, where disparities in access to healthcare can be significant. A landmark moment in India’s pharmaceutical history came with the Indian Patents Act of 1970. The act abolished product patents on drugs and allowed only process patents for a limited period.

Providing Affordable, High-quality Generic Meds Globally

Though the active ingredients are the same, generics often come with different packaging, branding, or labeling compared to the original drug. India should also enter into international partnerships and agreements in the pharmaceutical sector so that we learn from the best and adopt the best protocols and practices. All this will have to be achieved without compromising on the affordability of drugs. There should be an unwavering commitment to high standards of quality in drug manufacturing and quality frameworks such as Good Manufacturing Practices should strictly be adhered to.

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This research explores the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY) and its impact on im-proving healthcare drug accessibility, affordability, efficacy, and customer satisfaction through the provision of generic medicines in India. The literature review examines consumer perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes toward generic drugs, highlighting the potential of such initia-tives while acknowledging existing challenges. The objective of the research is to assess the effectiveness, accessibility, affordability, availabil-ity, and customer satisfaction of generic medicines available under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY). Also, a visit to a Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra was done to evaluate the operational of the scheme. Findings reveal the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY) success in providing affordable medicines to underserved populations, generating cost savings, garnering positive feedback from customers, and making them available easily. However, it has been observed that low awareness and misconceptions remain significant hurdles.

• Pharma companies should go above and beyond their CSR mandates to provide life saving and other essential drugs to those who cannot afford them.
• Many rural pharmacies may not stock a wide range of generics due to logistical challenges or low demand, leading patients to rely on more expensive branded alternatives.
• These medicines are available through more than 8,600 PMBJKs functioning across the country.
• As a result the drug – imatinib mesylate –produced generically costs $790 per patient per year in India compared to $106, 322 per patient per year in the US.
• Jan Aushadhi Scheme was launched in November 2008 by the Department of medicinal, Ministry of Chemicals and Diseases, Government of India.
• However, it has been observed that low awareness and misconceptions remain significant hurdles.
• As of November 30, 2024, 218 AMRIT pharmacies operate across 29 states and Union Territories, offering discounted medicines and surgical items.

Drug Resources

AbstractThis article provides an overview of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme in India. The PMBJP scheme aims to make quality generic medicines available and affordable to all sections of society, especially the economically weaker sections. The article discusses the types of medicines available through the scheme, quality standards, certification process, pricing, and benefits to the general public.

The Role of Generic Medicines in India’s Healthcare System

The product basket presently comprises of 1,451 medicines and 240 surgical items covering all major therapeutic groups such as Cardiovascular, Anti-cancers, Anti-diabetics, Anti-infectives, Anti-allergic, Gastro-intestinal medicines, Nutraceuticals, etc. These medicines are available through more than 8,600 PMBJKs functioning across the country. In December 2023, the Department of Pharmaceuticals announced the availability of Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins at Rs. 1 to ensure easy accessibility of and provide affordable sanitary napkins to women in India. From the beginning until November 30, 2023, more than 47.87 crore Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Pads have been purchased from Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The scheme is being implemented by the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (BPPI), under the administrative control of the Department of Pharmaceuticals and the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. As of FY23, it covers 1,759 medicines and 280 surgical & consumables in all key therapeutic categories such as anti-infective, anti-allergic, anti-diabetics, cardiovascular, anti-cancers, and gastrointestinal medicines.

What Are Generic Medicines?

Governments of developing countries have also initiated HIV treatment programmes using generically produced medicines from India. These programmes benefit more than 15 million people who are living with HIV/AIDS. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), UNITAID and others, rely on the country’s  generic antiretrovirals for the programs they support. This allowed for the production of low-cost, generic versions of medicines that were patented in other countries.

History of Generic Medicines in India

There is immense scope for technology, innovation and research in pharmaceuticals. India also has a large pool of talented scientists and engineers who have the potential to lead the industry ahead to greater heights. Generic drugs export has been growing at a very impressive rate of around 24% per year for the last four years.

The infographic below highlights the sky-high prices of patented drugs in the US vs low-cost Indian generics.

To address this issue government central government started Jan Aushadhi (Medicine for the masses) programme in 2008 with the objective of providing quality medicines at affordable prices. The research findings align with global efforts to enhance the accessibility, affordability, and acceptance of generic medi-cines, particularly through programs like India’s Jan Aushad-hi. Comparable challenges in affordability and availability resonate with international studies, emphasizing the need for continuous pricing policy review and effective public health policies. Customer satisfaction, rooted in trust and clear communication, echoes concerns highlighted in global re-search, with a shared emphasis on addressing store-related issues. [14]Collaborative efforts are crucial to fostering a comprehensive understand-ing and ensuring equitable access to generic medicines on a global scale.

ConclusionIn conclusion, the PMBJP scheme has been instrumental in making quality generic medicines available and affordable to all sections of society, especially the economically weaker sections in India. The scheme has been successful in increasing the accessibility of medicines to the masses and has helped in reducing healthcare costs for individuals and the government. However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed, such as ensuring the availability and accessibility of medicines in remote areas. The potential of the PMBJP to expand and cover more medicines and medical devices is promising, and it can play a crucial role in achieving the goal of universal health coverage in India.

The primary objective of the study is to assess the Effective-ness, Accessibility, Affordability, Availability, and Customer Satisfaction of generic medicines in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana. Generic medicines play a crucial role in making healthcare more affordable and accessible. They help reduce overall healthcare costs, promote health equity, and support government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY). Generic medicines are produced after the patent on a branded drug expires, allowing multiple manufacturers to make the same drug. This competition, along with the lack of R&D and marketing costs, significantly reduces the price of generic medicines.

• Over the years, citizens have collectively saved up to Rs. 20,000 crores, a testament to the scheme’s impact on reducing healthcare expenditure.
• While generic medicines have played a transformative role in improving healthcare accessibility and affordability, they also face several challenges in India.
• Also, a visit to a Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra was done to evaluate the operational of the scheme.
• Limitations included potential publication bias and generali-zability due to diverse study populations.
• It is run in a Campaign Mission Mode on the principle of Not for Profits but with Minimal Profits.
• In 2008, the Indian government launched the Jan Aushadhi Scheme, later renamed Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY) in 2015.
• But the quality of the generic drugs is never compromised.These are cost-effective only as research and development, and drug discovery costs are not involved in the case of generic drugs.
• This can confuse consumers, and in some cases, patients may not experience the cost savings they expect.
• Developing countries across the world face several challenges, key among which is providing their people with affordable medicines of high-quality.

Generic Medicines in India: A Revolution in Affordable Healthcare

With rising healthcare costs, the availability of generic drugs has provided relief to patients by offering low-cost alternatives without compromising on quality. This article explores the significance of generic medicines in India, their role in the healthcare system, and why they are key to reducing erlotinib price in singapore out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare. Out of Pocket expenditure on medicines constitutes more than 50% of healthcare expenditure in India. The poor are most affected as branded medicines are expensive and treatments involving the use of such medicines pushes them further into poverty.

• As of July 2024, ~13,113 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendras were operational in India.
• Generic medicines are drugs that contain the same active ingredients as branded medicines, but are sold under their chemical name.
• By offering low-cost, high-quality alternatives to branded drugs, generic medicines help reduce healthcare costs and improve access to treatments, supporting the government’s broader goal of universal healthcare.
• Generic medicines can only be produced after the patent on the brand-name drug has expired.
• Though the active ingredients are the same, generics often come with different packaging, branding, or labeling compared to the original drug.

In a very proactive move, the Government of India is setting up an electronic platform to regulate the profusion of online pharmacies that are coming up, under a new policy, to stop any misuse due to easy availability. India has always taken a bold and exemplary stand against blind patent protection that benefit global pharma giants. India already has the second highest number of US FDA approved facilities and labour costs in Indian are significantly lower than other manufacturing hubs.

It is aimed at filing and then obtaining separate patents – referred to as ‘secondary patents’ – relating to different aspects of the same medicine. Such patents are routinely granted in the US and other countries, but India chose to prioritise access to medicines over the business interests of the pharmaceutical industry. Low-cost, generic medicines produced in India are helping millions of people across the world get affordable, high-quality medication. Yes, Medkart Pharmacy offers a diverse range of over-the-counter products to meet common health needs.

• These programmes benefit more than 15 million people who are living with HIV/AIDS.
• Additionally, healthcare professionals should be trained on the efficacy of generics to shift prescribing practices.
• So it is not only the responsibility of the government to support generics, but we all should also take the initiative to support generics.
• Overall, the PMJAY has shown great potential in making healthcare more accessible and affordable, but con-tinuous improvements are necessary to achieve even better outcomes for the population.
• Generic medicines are produced after the patent on a branded drug expires, allowing multiple manufacturers to make the same drug.

Lack of awareness

As previously mentioned, generic medicines are far cheaper than branded drugs, allowing patients to afford treatments for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases without financial strain. Unlike branded medicines, which spend significantly on advertising and promotion, generic drugs rely less on branding and more on their efficacy, resulting in reduced costs. Indiangenericprice ensures that all our medications are obtained from certified manufacturers, meeting strict global safety and efficacy guidelines.

The amendment reintroduced product patents for medicines, but India included provisions such as compulsory licensing, which allowed the production of generics for life-saving drugs in cases of public health emergencies. Rural health programmes, lifesaving drugs and preventive vaccines should also receive attention from policy makers and Pharma companies alike. Making quality medicines available at affordable prices for all, particularly the poor and disadvantaged, through exclusive outlets “Jan Aushadhi Medical Store”, so as to reduce out of pocket expenses in healthcare. For the benefit of the Indian population, DR BEST Pharmaceuticals also took a great initiative by starting their online pharmacy, which offers generic medicines with up to 80% discount at your doorsteps. The law was designed with the objective of stopping drug giants from indulging in ‘evergreening,’ an unfortunately common and abusive patenting practice in the pharmaceutical industry.

National Skill Development Coorporation has identified more than 60 job roles for the pharmacy graduates and post gradutes for consideration under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna. Healthcare is the fifth-largest employer among all sectors, both in terms of direct and indirect employment. Given the significance of highly educated and specialized scientists in the sector, skill development is crucial. The government and the Pharma sector in unison have managed to effectively harness the power of Information technology to improve efficiency. Under the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy, as on December 15, 2016, ceiling price of 853 formulations are under price control.

We deliver medications worldwide, ensuring that patients from all corners of the globe receive the care they need. You can trust Indiangenericprice for reliable access to specialized medications that are affordable and delivered worldwide. Dr. Yussef Hamied from India electrified the world by announcing that the generic company Cipla would manufacture and supply the triple fixed-dose combination of HIV antiretrovirals at $1 a day, a 99.99 percent price cut. Generic drugs are easily available across India, especially with the increasing number of Jan Aushadhi stores in rural and urban areas. New molecules and new drugs will have to be discovered and treatment protocols will have to be continuously upgraded and updated. The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) imparts quality education in the areas of pharmaceutical sciences.

Today, India is the world’s primary source of affordable HIV medicines as it is one of the few countries with the capacity to quickly produce newer HIV drugs as generics. Big pharmaceutical corporations with patent monopolies were charging over $10,000 per patient per year for antiretrovirals (HIV medicines), thereby making treatment economically unviable for millions of patients in the developing world. All Generic and Branded Medicines and the rest of the essential medical products on Medkart Pharmacy are sourced directly from reputable manufacturers, ensuring authenticity and compliance with industry standards. The production of affordable generics helped address critical healthcare needs in India, particularly in treating infectious diseases like tuberculosis and malaria, which were prevalent across the country. Quality medicines at affordable prices are now available to the poor and disadvantaged through the “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan aushadhi Kendras”.

Generic medicines are much cheaper because they do not involve the initial research and marketing costs of branded medicines. However, they are bioequivalent to branded drugs and are just as safe and effective. Despite government efforts to promote generic medicines through initiatives like Jan Aushadhi Kendras, the availability of generics in rural and remote areas is still limited.

But the quality of the generic drugs is never compromised.These are cost-effective only as research and development, and drug discovery costs are not involved in the case of generic drugs. It can depend on the clinical data presented by the innovator’s company for the safety profile of the medicine. One of the main reasons to support generic medicine in India is the low cost of generic medicines.

From early efforts to make essential medicines affordable to becoming one of the world’s largest producers of generics, India’s generic pharmaceutical industry has a rich history. Here’s a look at the key milestones in the development of generic medicines in India. The Jan Aushadhi initiative will make available quality drugs at affordable prices through dedicated stores selling generic medicines which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs. This paper is based on a review of the literature and data has been collected from 12 articles that encompass and explore different aspects of the implementation and acceptance of generic medicines through initiatives like the Jan Aushadhi Programme in India. Electronic databases, such as Re-search Gate, Google Scholar, and PubMed were used to iden-tify suitable literature published in the years 2007 to 2023 along with the ministry website. Affordability was measured based on the ability of individuals to access essential medi-cines without financial hardship.

Indian pharmaceutical companies manufacture a wide range of generic drugs, including antibiotics, antivirals, and medicines for chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. In India, generic pharmaceuticals are crucial to lowering healthcare costs and increasing access. We may better appreciate their vital function in the healthcare system if we are aware of their advantages, difficulties, and legal environment.

With the vision to provide quality generic medicines to all citizens, the government’s Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana brings this concept to reality. India’s generic medicines are not only essential for its own population but also play a critical role in global healthcare. The country’s pharmaceutical sector has become a reliable source of affordable medicines for developed and developing countries alike.

It has led to significant cost savings for consumers and positive feedback from customers. However, challenges persist, including the need for greater awareness and addressing misconceptions. To further en-hance the program’s impact, efforts should focus on public awareness, supply-side regulations, and medicine pricing policies. Overall, the PMJAY has shown great potential in making healthcare more accessible and affordable, but con-tinuous improvements are necessary to achieve even better outcomes for the population. Generic medicines play a key role in government healthcare initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY), which aims to make essential medicines affordable and accessible to all citizens. By offering low-cost, high-quality alternatives to branded drugs, generic medicines help reduce healthcare costs and improve access to treatments, supporting the government’s broader goal of universal healthcare.

Secondly, strengthening supply-side regulations, including quality assurance measures and regular audits, will ensure the availability of high-quality medicines. Thirdly, a thorough review of the medicine pric-ing policy is essential to maintain affordability and prevent costly prescriptions. Additionally, expanding the product basket, fostering public-private partnerships, enhancing cus-tomer experience, and conducting periodic evaluations will contribute to the success of the PMJAY and improve healthcare outcomes for the Indian population. The scheme has effectively pro-vided affordable medicines to those in need, particularly the underprivileged and uninsured.