Making affordable generics more reliable

Context: Generic drugs are crucial for addressing healthcare affordability in a
population marked by significant income disparities. Bioequivalent to branded
drugs, generics offer cost-effective alternatives. India leverages economies of
scale and low production costs to supply affordable medication domestically and
internationally. The key issue lies in India’s decentralised drug regulation
system, which grants significant authority to State Drug Regulatory
Authorities, leading to inconsistent enforcement and quality standards. Ensuring
the quality of generic medicines in India is vital to make them affordable and
effective as innovator drugs. Despite being bioequivalent to brand-name drugs,
quality control lapses have occasionally compromised their efficacy and safety.

Key points

·       Generic
medicines: A generic medicine is a drug that is made to be exactly like brand-name
drugs that are already available in the market. They have the same active
ingredients, strength, safety, and intended use. This means that a generic drug
works just as well as a brand-name medicine and provides the same benefits

·       Cost
effectiveness of generic medicine: Generic Drugs cost less
because they don’t have to go through all the expensive tests and studies that
brand-name drugs do. When a new drug is created, it is protected by patents
that stop others from making copies of it for some time. But after that protection
period ends, other companies can make generic versions without repeating those
expensive tests.

·       Importance
of Generic Medicines: Control various diseases - The use of
generic drugs is crucial for managing chronic diseases like diabetes, heart
problems, and thyroid issues, especially as the population ages.

Essential for
developing countries - For instance, In India, the government and
regulatory bodies encourage the production of effective generic drugs to make
healthcare more accessible and affordable.

New
Technological Integrations - 3D printing technology has also played a role in
producing generic drugs with different release dates and Flavors.

Affordable
Medicine - The competition among different companies to produce generic drugs
reduces prices, making healthcare more affordable for people, and promoting the
growth of the pharmaceutical industry.

·       Challenges
Faced by Generic Medicines: Some of the key challenges are-

Ø  Quality and
Safety Concerns - Ensuring consistent quality and safety standards
for generic drugs can be a challenge. In some instances, there have been
reports of substandard or counterfeit medications entering the market, which
can pose health risks to patients.

Ø  Prescription
Practices - In some cases, healthcare professionals may be influenced by
pharmaceutical marketing and prescribing branded drugs over equally effective
and more affordable generic alternatives.

Ø  Lack of Trust - Building trust
among patients and healthcare professionals in the quality and efficacy of
generic drugs is crucial. Any negative incidents related to generic medications
can erode trust and hinder their wider acceptance.

·       Promotion
of Generic Medicines in India: Here are some strategies to encourage the use
of generic drugs in India-

Public Awareness
Campaigns - Launch comprehensive public awareness campaigns to educate the general
population about the benefits and safety of generic drugs.

Generic Drug
Substitution Policies - Encourage generic drug substitution policies in
hospitals and healthcare institutions. This means that when a brand-name drug
is prescribed, the pharmacist should offer the patient a cheaper generic
version as an alternative, with the patient’s consent.

Government
Incentives - The Indian government can provide incentives to doctors and healthcare
institutions that prescribe and dispense generic drugs. This can be in the form
of tax benefits, subsidies, or other financial rewards to encourage more
widespread adoption.

·       Pradhan
Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): It is a campaign launched
by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in association with Central Pharma Public
Sector Undertakings, to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the
masses through dedicated outlets called ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi
Kendra’. These provide generic medicines at much lesser price. The potency of
these medicines is same as compared to expensive branded medicines available in
the open market.

·       Conclusion: Developing
countries like India and other African countries are in dire need of generic
drugs as it will help them make their healthcare responsive, affordable, and
pro-poor. Right now, generic medicines face a few challenges in India. Addressing
these challenges requires collaborative efforts from regulatory authorities,
healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical companies, and patient education
initiatives. Creating a more favourable environment for generic drugs can
improve the accessibility and affordability of healthcare for the population in
India.