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.
Are generic medicines safe and effective?
This regulatory oversight helps maintain public trust in generic drugs and ensures that they are as effective as their branded counterparts. In 2008, the Indian government launched the Jan Aushadhi Scheme, later renamed Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY) in 2015. This initiative aimed to promote the use of affordable generic medicines by establishing Jan Aushadhi Kendras (stores) across India, where patients could purchase high-quality pazopanib price in mexico generic medicines at significantly lower prices than branded drugs. Though the government has encouraged the prescription of generic medicines, many doctors in India still prefer prescribing branded drugs due to established relationships with pharmaceutical companies or doubts about the quality of generics. Today, India is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of generic medicines, accounting for about 20% of the global supply.
Overview of Pharmacy associations in India
Generic medicines are widely available and are often produced by multiple manufacturers once the patent for the original drug expires. This makes them more accessible to patients and healthcare providers across different regions. The scheme was a major milestone in making healthcare accessible to all citizens, especially in rural and underprivileged areas. PMJAY also helped raise awareness about the benefits of generic medicines, countering the perception that generics are of lower quality. The AIDS crisis in the late 1990s further highlighted India’s role in the global healthcare system. Indian companies, particularly Cipla, gained international recognition by producing affordable generic antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to treat HIV/AIDS, which significantly lowered the cost of treatment in Africa and other developing regions.
Why Are Generic Medicines Cheaper?
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.
Generic Medicines in India: A Revolution in Affordable Healthcare
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.
Price difference between generics and branded medicines
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.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)
- As of November 30, 2024, 218 AMRIT pharmacies operate across 29 states and Union Territories, offering discounted medicines and surgical items.
- One of the main reasons to support generic medicine in India is the low cost of generic medicines.
- 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.
- Out of Pocket expenditure on medicines constitutes more than 50% of healthcare expenditure in India.
- 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.
The availability of generic drugs fosters competition among pharmaceutical companies, which drives innovation and encourages more affordable pricing across the board. With the health sector being a priority, the Government of India is continuously working to provide affordable treatments and medicines at cheaper prices to its citizens. The demand for generic medicines is rising as the Jan Aushadhi stores, across the country, are serving lakh people per day. As of December 2023, the government has already established 10,006, with 206 medicines and 13 surgical equipment have been newly added this year in Jan Aushadhi stores in the country.
Generic Drugs in India: A Complete Guide
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.
Quality Assurance
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. The journey of generic medicines in India has been pivotal in transforming the country’s healthcare landscape.
National Government Services Portal
The government provides free or highly subsidised treatment for NCDs at public hospitals, with major diseases covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY). The scheme, benefiting approximately 55 crore people, offers US$ 5,886 (Rs. 5 lakh) annual health cover for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. Additionally, the scheme has extended coverage to senior citizens aged 70 and above. As of November 30, 2024, 218 AMRIT pharmacies operate across 29 states and Union Territories, offering discounted medicines and surgical items.
Efficacy refers to the ability of medicines to produce desired therapeutic effects under ideal conditions. Availability involves the presence of essen-tial medicines in appropriate forms and quantities at healthcare facilities. Customer satisfaction assessed whether expectations regarding quality and experience were met.
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. 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. Medkart Pharmacy offers informational content on various health topics, promoting awareness and well-being among our customers. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- These medicines are available through more than 8,600 PMBJKs functioning across the country.
- Jan Aushadhi Scheme was launched in November 2008 by the Department of medicinal, Ministry of Chemicals and Diseases, Government of India.
- As of November 30, 2024, 218 AMRIT pharmacies operate across 29 states and Union Territories, offering discounted medicines and surgical items.
- 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.
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.
We aim to make advanced medications affordable and accessible for patients everywhere. Indiangenericprice believes that no one should be deprived of essential healthcare, regardless of their location or financial situation. Our goal is to transform global healthcare access by breaking down barriers through convenience and affordability. In contrast to India’s stricter patentability criteria, the U.S. allows the practice of ‘evergreening’ that helps delay generic competition and keeps prices high. It is a common tactic by which the pharmaceutical industry extends their monopoly on drugs beyond the original patent’s 20 years.
- The government and the Pharma sector in unison have managed to effectively harness the power of Information technology to improve efficiency.
- We aim to make advanced medications affordable and accessible for patients everywhere.
- 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.
- The demand for generic medicines is rising as the Jan Aushadhi stores, across the country, are serving lakh people per day.
- Moreover, the Directorate General of Health Services has directed all Central Government hospitals to prescribe generic medicines only.
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- The Vice President asked Pharma companies to go above and beyond their CSR mandates to provide life saving and other essential drugs to those who cannot afford them.
- 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.
Jan Aushadhi and other Generic Medicine initiatives in India
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.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana: A Game Changer for Generic Medicines
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.
The fixation of ceiling prices on medicines has resulted in a total saving of USD 392 million since May 2014. The Government of India has taken up a number of initiatives to create an ecosystem that fosters manufacturing and have identified a few key areas. ‘Make in India’ is one of the key programmes launched by the government to boost the economy and the aim is to transform India into a global manufacturing hub. This is an eloquent testimony to the competence of the Indian pharma sector in terms of quality and pricing. The Minister for Excise and Liquor Prohibition, Uttar Pradesh, Shri Jai Parata Singh and several dignitaries from fields of medicine, pharmaceuticals and other were present on the occasion.
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. The Vice President asked Pharma companies to go above and beyond their CSR mandates to provide life saving and other essential drugs to those who cannot afford them. He said that it was essential for a country like India to provide healthcare and medicines at affordable prices. In developing countries, India is rendering yeoman service by providing access to life saving medicines at affordable prices, he added. Medicines in almost every therapeutic category are sold primarily as branded drugs, at disproportionately high prices. There is still a large section of the population which finds it difficult to afford these high-priced medicines.
India is one of the world’s largest producers of generic drugs, with Indian pharmaceutical companies supplying over 50% of global demand for various vaccines and 40% of the generic drugs used in the United States. The Indian government has taken several initiatives to promote the use of generic medicines domestically, including the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY), which provides quality generic medicines at affordable prices. Despite their potential to make healthcare affordable and accessible, generic medicines in India face multiple challenges. Addressing issues related to quality assurance, regulatory enforcement, public awareness, and the perception of generics is essential for improving their acceptance. By overcoming these obstacles, India can better harness the power of generic drugs to benefit its healthcare system and ensure equitable access to essential medicines. By the 1990s, India had become one of the largest suppliers of generic medicines globally.
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. This uncompromising stand has been demonstrated through the granting of compulsory licence in 2012 to an Indian manufacturer to produce a cancer drug, the patent for which was held by the German company Bayer. Bayer’s pricing had made the drug unaffordable to poor cancer patients in India, Africa and elsewhere. Presently over 80 per cent of the antiretroviral drugs used globally to combat AIDS are supplied by Indian pharmaceutical firms.
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. Jan Aushadhi Scheme was launched in November 2008 by the Department of medicinal, Ministry of Chemicals and Diseases, Government of India. The Government revamped ‘Jan Aushadhi Scheme as ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana’ (PMJAY) in September 2015.
- Once a drug patent expires, multiple pharmaceutical companies can produce and sell the generic version, leading to increased competition and lower prices for consumers.
- However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed, such as ensuring the availability and accessibility of medicines in remote areas.
- PMBJP seeks to keep product price within 50% of branded product price to make it affordable for all, especially the poor.
- Medicines in almost every therapeutic category are sold primarily as branded drugs, at disproportionately high prices.
- Today, India is a main supplier of vaccines to UNICEF and to the Ministries of Health in numerous countries.
- The scheme, benefiting approximately 55 crore people, offers US$ 5,886 (Rs. 5 lakh) annual health cover for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.
- Indian manufacturers, with their reverse engineering skills, were the first to market low-cost versions of the life-saving cancer (Imatinib) and HIV drugs (Zidovudine) within a few years of their US launch.
The Mantras in these ancient texts contain a wealth of information regarding herbs, metals, medicines, diseases and treatments. They speak of the astounding properties and powers that herbs and plants possess to cure diseases. 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. 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.
- 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.
- In contrast to India’s stricter patentability criteria, the U.S. allows the practice of ‘evergreening’ that helps delay generic competition and keeps prices high.
- More than 70% of the Indian population lives in rural areas, of which 35% are below the poverty line.
- The AIDS crisis in the late 1990s further highlighted India’s role in the global healthcare system.
- Yes, generic medicines are required to meet the same safety, quality, and efficacy standards as branded medicines.
- Our generic drugs are priced competitively, without compromising quality, making life-saving treatments accessible.
- Additionally, the scheme has extended coverage to senior citizens aged 70 and above.
- This regulatory oversight helps maintain public trust in generic drugs and ensures that they are as effective as their branded counterparts.
- The article also highlights the challenges faced by the PMBJP scheme in ensuring the availability and accessibility of medicines in remote areas.
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.
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. Our medications are sourced from Indian certified manufacturers and meet global regulatory standards. Our support team works tirelessly to assist patients and healthcare providers with their medication requirements.
