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February 11, 2025

Indian Generic Price: Providing Affordable Quality Medicines

Our support team works tirelessly to assist patients and healthcare providers with their medication requirements. In 2005, India adopted a strict medicines patent law that, while allowing patent protection for new pharmaceutical compounds, makes it tougher to get a patent on new forms of existing medicines. Governments of developing countries have also initiated HIV treatment programmes using generically produced medicines from India.

  • Under the Scheme, dedicated outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) are opened to provide generic medicines at cheaper rates to the citizens.
  • The country earned the title of the “pharmacy of the developing world”, providing essential medicines at low prices to countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
  • The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) imparts quality education in the areas of pharmaceutical sciences.
  • They help reduce overall healthcare costs, promote health equity, and support government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY).
  • Continued focus on strict regulatory standards is essential to ensure that all generic medicines meet the required quality and safety benchmarks.
  • Under free drug initiatve of National Health Mission (NHM), support is provided for provision of essential generic drugs free of cost in public health facilities.
  • India already has the second highest number of US FDA approved facilities and labour costs in Indian are significantly lower than other manufacturing hubs.

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Generic medicines can only be produced after the patent on the brand-name drug has expired. This allows multiple manufacturers to create the same medicine, increasing competition and driving prices down. Generic drugs are tested rigorously to ensure they meet the same safety and efficacy standards as brand-name drugs. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) or India’s CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization) ensure that generic drugs adhere to strict guidelines before they are approved for public use. A landmark moment in India’s pharmaceutical history came with the Indian Patents Act of 1970.

Why Are Generic Medicines Cheaper?

With the vision to provide quality generic medicines to all citizens, the government’s Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana brings this concept to reality. 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.

  • Only after being certified by these laboratories, medicines are dispatched to C&F agents, Distributors and JAKs.
  • According to World Health Organization estimates (2008), 65% of India‟s population does not have access to modern health care.
  • 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.
  • Since 80% of out-patient care and 60% of in-hospital care occurs at private hospitals in India, households are exposed to a private-sector market to buy drugs (Public Health Foundation of India, 2012).
  • When looking for effective and affordable treatment choices, Dr. Best advises patients and healthcare professionals to explore generic options.
  • The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched to promote the use of generic medicines and reduce healthcare costs for the masses.

TBI Blogs: 5 Reasons Why India Is the ‘Pharmacy’ of the Developing World

Developing countries across the world face several challenges, key among which is providing their people with affordable medicines of high-quality. You can purchase generic medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras (government-run stores) and most pharmacies across India. These stores offer a variety of affordable generic alternatives for common medicines.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) : Making Quality Medicines Affordable and Accessible in India

The recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine is an excellent example of one of India’s low-cost medicines. Large multinational pharmaceutical companies held a complete monopoly on the vaccine and ensured that the price of the drug was high. At $23 per dose, a manufacturer in India saw an unmet need and, in the absence of patent barriers, developed a Hepatitis B vaccine to reduce the price of the drug to less than $1 per dose. Today, India is a main supplier of vaccines to UNICEF and to the Ministries of Health in numerous countries. With an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers in the year 2008.

Global Reach

In order to ensure quality of the products, PMBI procures medicines only from World Health Organization – Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers. Apart from this, each batch of drug is tested at laboratories accredited by ‘National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). Only after passing the quality tests, the medicines are dispatched to PMBJP Kendras. The government has also launched a mobile application ‘Janaushadhi Sugam’ that provides information to public about location of kendras, help them search Janaushadhi medicines and compare the maximum retail price of Generic vs. Branded medicines, etc.

Can I find over-the-counter (OTC) products on Medkart Pharmacy?

The government and the Pharma sector in unison have managed to effectively harness the power of Information technology to improve efficiency. The Supreme Court of India also upheld the 2006 decision of the Indian patent office that refused a patent for a mere incremental innovation to a Swiss Pharma major. India already has the second highest number of US FDA approved facilities and labour costs in Indian are significantly lower than other manufacturing hubs.

Benefits of generic drugs

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. Stay updated by checking our website or subscribing to our newsletter for ongoing offers. This is the Government Services Portal of India, developed with an objective to enable a single window access to services being provided by the various Indian Government entities. It is designed and developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India. 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. 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.

Medicines for BP Problems

One of the main reasons to support generic medicine in India is the low cost of generic medicines. More than 70% of the Indian population lives in rural areas,  of which 35% are below the poverty line. On the other hand, India’s policy and lawmakers have identified generic competition as the strongest and most effective force to reduce drug prices. Having fewer patents in India means more generic competition, which means more affordable medicines for people and governments in developing countries. They are accepted globally and are of the same quality with a lesser cost as compared to branded drugs.

  • The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) imparts quality education in the areas of pharmaceutical sciences.
  • 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.
  • “Making quality medicines available at affordable prices has been a key challenge. We will reinvigorate the supply of generic drugs. 3,000 Stores under Prime Minister’s Jan Aushadhi Yojana will be opened during 2017.”
  • Apart from this, each batch of drug is tested at laboratories accredited by ‘National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
  • Yes, generic medicines are available for a wide range of diseases, including chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and infectious diseases.
  • Bayer’s pricing had made the drug unaffordable to poor cancer patients in India, Africa and elsewhere.
  • India already has the second highest number of US FDA approved facilities and labour costs in Indian are significantly lower than other manufacturing hubs.
  • Governments of developing countries have also initiated HIV treatment programmes using generically produced medicines from India.

Overview of Pharmacy associations in India

Thus, access to low-priced generic drugs is very critical in ensuring health care at affordable prices. Generic medicines are drugs that contain the same active ingredients as branded medicines, but are sold under their chemical name. They are equivalent in dosage, safety, strength, quality, and intended use, offering the same therapeutic benefits at a much lower cost. Continued focus on strict regulatory standards is essential to ensure that all generic medicines meet the required quality and safety benchmarks. Generic drugs in India must meet strict quality standards set by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). Generic medicines are widely available and are often produced by multiple manufacturers once the patent for the original drug expires.

Jan Aushadhi and other Generic Medicine initiatives in India

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. 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 article also highlights the challenges faced by the PMBJP scheme in ensuring the availability and accessibility of medicines in remote areas. Furthermore, the article discusses the potential of PMBJP to expand and cover more medicines and medical devices, as well as its role in achieving the goal of universal health coverage in India. 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.

Why are generic medicines cheaper?

Indian pharmaceutical companies started exporting generic drugs to developing countries that were grappling with the high cost of healthcare. The country earned the title of the “pharmacy of the developing world”, providing essential medicines at low prices to countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In recent years, generic medicines in India have emerged as a powerful tool in making healthcare more affordable and accessible to millions of people. 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 out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses.

  • The fixation of ceiling prices on medicines has resulted in a total saving of USD 392 million since May 2014.
  • 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.
  • India is the largest provider of generic drugs globally with the Indian generics accounting for 20 % of global exports in terms of volume.
  • We provide a wide range of specialty drugs, from anti-viral treatments to nephrology drugs, addressing complex medical needs.
  • Developing countries across the world face several challenges, key among which is providing their people with affordable medicines of high-quality.
  • Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses.
  • While generic medicines have played a transformative role in improving healthcare accessibility and affordability, they also face several challenges in India.
  • New molecules and new drugs will have to be discovered and treatment protocols will have to be continuously upgraded and updated.
  • Generic drugs export has been growing at a very impressive rate of around 24% per year for the last four years.

The initiative aims to make essential medicines more accessible and affordable through resolute PMBJK outlets. 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. Medicines in almost every therapeutic category are sold primarily as branded drugs, at disproportionately high prices.

Why are generic medicines cheaper?

There are more than 700 medicines; more than 150 surgicals and consumables are available at affordable prices for all at more than 4000 ‘Jan Aushadi Kedras’ across the nation. ‘Pharma Jan Samadhan’, a customer grievances redressal system was launched and a mobile application – ‘Pharma Sahi Daam’ that provides real-time information to consumers on prices of Scheduled/Non-scheduled medicines has also been introduced. Our medications are sourced from Indian certified manufacturers and meet global regulatory standards. We help you to access high quality generic medicine and overcome financial barriers. How the law works is borne out of the patent decision in 2005 which rejected the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis’ attempt to patent the salt/crystalline form of ‘Imatinib,’ a life saving medicine for treating chronic myeloid leukemia.

What healthcare information does Medkart Pharmacy provide?

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. 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.

How to Promote the Use of Generic Medicines

Indian Generic Price: Providing Affordable Quality Medicines

It can depend on the clinical data presented by the innovator’s company for the safety profile of the medicine. By offering affordable and accessible healthcare options, generic medicines play a critical role in lowering healthcare costs while ensuring high standards of safety and effectiveness. This law fostered the growth of a strong domestic pharmaceutical industry focused on producing affordable generic drugs. It enabled Indian companies to manufacture medicines at much lower costs, without infringing on patents held by multinational corporations. Before the 1970s, India’s pharmaceutical market was dominated by multinational corporations, which produced and sold branded medicines at high prices. The Indian pharmaceutical industry was relatively underdeveloped, and most medicines, especially life-saving ones, were imported, making them inaccessible to a large part of the population due to high costs.

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. While generic medicines have played a transformative role in improving healthcare accessibility and affordability, they also face several challenges in India. These issues stem from quality control, regulatory oversight, and consumer perception, all of which can hinder the widespread acceptance and effectiveness of generics in the country. Today, India is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of generic medicines, accounting for about 20% of the global supply. Indian pharmaceutical companies manufacture a wide range of generic drugs, including antibiotics, antivirals, and medicines for chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

These programmes benefit more than 15 million people who are living with HIV/AIDS. This allowed for the production of low-cost, generic versions of medicines that were patented in other countries. Generic drugs have the same active ingredients as the brand-name drugs, ensuring the same therapeutic benefits. However, the inactive ingredients (such as fillers, colorants, or preservatives) may vary, but they do not affect the drug’s performance.

It is quite heartening to note that the Pharma sector is out-performing most other sectors in achieving consistently high growth. The Pharma industry has posted a robust,  double-digit growth over the last few years. The industry was worth US $36.7 Billion in 2017 and is projected to grow to US $55 Billion by 2020. The Atharva veda is a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom in the field of medicine. It is clear that since the ancient times India had a very systematic, scientific and rational approach to the treatment of diseases. I have been buying prostate cancer medicine Abiraterone for my dad regularly with them.

The act abolished product patents on drugs and allowed only process patents for a limited period. This meant that Indian pharmaceutical companies could legally reverse-engineer and produce generic versions of patented drugs by using a different manufacturing process. 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. So it is not only the responsibility of the government to support generics, but we all should also take the initiative to support generics. Recently, these initiatives have already been started by a few state governments in India. Low-cost, generic medicines produced in India are helping millions of people across the world get affordable, high-quality medication.

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. “Making quality medicines available at affordable prices has been a key challenge. We will reinvigorate the supply of generic drugs. 3,000 Stores under Prime Minister’s Jan Aushadhi Yojana will be opened during 2017.” This public health approach to setting strict patent standards is in line with international trade rules and encourages timely entry of affordable generics into the market, driving prices down.

There is immense scope for technology, innovation and research in pharmaceuticals. Generic drugs export has been growing at a very impressive rate of around 24% per year for the last four years. Our extensive catalog includes specialized drugs that cater to serious conditions such as HIV, Hepatitis, Cancer, and more. We deliver medications worldwide, ensuring that patients from all corners of the globe receive the care they need.

Further, Clause 1.5 of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 prescribes that every physcian should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters. Additionally, the erstwhile Medical Council of lenvima price uk India (MCI) had issued Circulars vide which all the Registered Medical Practitioners have been directed to comply with the aforesaid provisions. You can trust Indiangenericprice for reliable access to specialized medications that are affordable and delivered worldwide.

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has called up on the pharmaceutical industry to work towards making India an International Capital of Generic Medicines. With years of experience and partnerships across the pharmaceutical industry, we guarantee timely and secure delivery. We provide a wide range of specialty drugs, from anti-viral treatments to nephrology drugs, addressing complex medical needs.

Indian Generic Price: Providing Affordable Quality Medicines

Under the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy, as on December 15, 2016, ceiling price of 853 formulations are under price control. It  has also introduced a range of fiscal incentives to promote domestic manufacturing, including the reduction of inverted duty structure and basic customs duty. Pharmaceuticals is one of the fastest growing contributors to “Make in India” campaign since its inception. India also has a large pool of talented scientists and engineers who have the potential to lead the industry ahead to greater heights.

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. Yes, generic medicines are available for a wide range of diseases, including chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and infectious diseases. 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.

These medicines are available through more than 8,600 PMBJKs functioning across the country. Though the active ingredients are the same, generics often come with different packaging, branding, or labeling compared to the original drug. New healthcare challenges are emerging every day, especially with the alarming rise in the number of non communicable and lifestyle diseases and cancers. I urge young researchers to work towards standardizing and benchmarking Indian systems of medicine. It is up to you to establish the efficiency, validity and efficacy of these traditional medicines, using globally established experimental protocols. It is my ambition that along with being the world leader in generic medicines, we should also promote Indian systems of Medicine.

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. While generics are generally cheaper than branded drugs, there can be variability in the pricing of generic medicines across different regions and pharmacies. This can confuse consumers, and in some cases, patients may not experience the cost savings they expect. During the 1980s, Indian pharmaceutical companies like Cipla, Ranbaxy, Dr. Reddy’s, and Sun Pharma started gaining momentum by producing high-quality generic medicines. These companies began to challenge the dominance of global pharmaceutical giants by offering the same medicines at significantly reduced prices.

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. When looking for effective and affordable treatment choices, Dr. Best advises patients and healthcare professionals to explore generic options. In India, generic medicine sales appear to be on the rise, as long as the government continues to encourage them. Over the years, India has developed a strong capability in producing quality branded and generic medicines in most of the therapeutic categories, evolving from a mere Rs 1,500 crores industry in 1980 to a more than Rs 1,19,000 crores industry in 2012. 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.

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