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.

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

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.

• Yes, generic medicines are available for a wide range of diseases, including chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and infectious diseases.
• 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.
• They help reduce overall healthcare costs, promote health equity, and support government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY).
• “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).
• The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) imparts quality education in the areas of pharmaceutical sciences.
• 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.
• The government should implement policies that incentivize doctors to prescribe generic medicines.

Drug Resources

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.

Generic Drugs in India: A Complete Guide

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.

Browse Medicines by Categories

India is the largest provider of generic drugs globally with the Indian generics accounting for 20 % of global exports in terms of volume. The Vice President said that apart from being the world leader in generic medicines, India should promote Indian systems of Medicine. He asked young researchers to work towards standardizing and benchmarking Indian systems of medicine and establish the efficiency, validity and efficacy of these traditional medicines, using globally established experimental protocols. Moreover, the Directorate General of Health Services has directed all Central Government hospitals to prescribe generic medicines only. Similar instructions also have been issued to ‘prescribe drugs with generic name legibly’ to all CGHS Doctors and Wellness Centres. 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.

Are generic medicines as effective as brand-name ones?

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.

Providing Affordable, High-quality Generic Meds Globally

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.

• The Vice President said that apart from being the world leader in generic medicines, India should promote Indian systems of Medicine.
• 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.
• They have a common notion that generic drugs are available at a low price so they may be of inferior quality.
• 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.
• During the 1980s, Indian pharmaceutical companies like Cipla, Ranbaxy, Dr. Reddy’s, and Sun Pharma started gaining momentum by producing high-quality generic medicines.
• However, the inactive ingredients (such as fillers, colorants, or preservatives) may vary, but they do not affect the drug’s performance.
• 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.

What distinguishes Medkart Pharmacy from other online pharmacies?

Many patients are unaware that generic medicines contain the same active ingredients as branded drugs and are equally effective. Most people worry about the quality and effectiveness of generic medicines because generic drugs are not as costly as compared to branded drugs. 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.

We Have 5+ Year’s Experience in exporting medicine globally

This competition, along with the lack of R&D and marketing costs, significantly reduces the price of generic medicines. Generic medicines are vital for providing affordable healthcare to millions in India. With initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana, the country is moving towards a future where quality medicines are available to all, regardless of financial constraints. However, more awareness, policy changes, and efforts to improve public perception are needed to fully unlock the potential of generic medicines in India. 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 Scheme is being implemented through the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), under the administrative control of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

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.

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

Generic medicines are drugs that contain the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts but are sold under their chemical names, without any brand identity. The only significant difference is the price, as generic drugs are often 30% to 90% cheaper than branded medicines. 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.

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.

How do generic medicines support government healthcare initiatives in India?

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.

Medicines for Kidney Problems

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.

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

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.

Newly Launched Generic Medicine

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.

Challenges Faced by Generic Medicines in India or Problems with Generic Drugs in India

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 harvoni price in usa 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 generic medicines at significantly lower prices than branded drugs. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Scheme has introduced 2,047 medicines and 300 surgical devices, including cardiovascular, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic treatments.

This leads to lower costs because generic manufacturers do not incur the high expenses of research and marketing. As of July 2024, ~13,113 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendras were operational in India. Under the PMBJP Kendras, a medicine is priced on the principle of a maximum of 50% of the average price of the top three branded medicines. Therefore, the cost of Jan Aushadhi medicines is cheaper by ~50% and in some cases, by 80-90% of the market price for branded medicines. Rural health programmes, lifesaving drugs and preventive vaccines should also receive attention from policy makers and Pharma companies alike.

Medkart Pharmacy offers informational content on various health topics, promoting awareness and well-being among our customers. 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. 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.

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.

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.

It is a common tactic by which the pharmaceutical industry extends their monopoly on drugs beyond the original patent’s 20 years. Long monopoly of a single company in the US  keeps prices high because generic competition is blocked. This problem gets further aggravated as almost 80% of expenditure on health care is borne by the patients themselves.

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 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 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.
• India also has a large pool of talented scientists and engineers who have the potential to lead the industry ahead to greater heights.
• The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched to promote the use of generic medicines and reduce healthcare costs for the masses.
• PMBJP seeks to keep product price within 50% of branded product price to make it affordable for all, especially the poor.
• 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.
• Generic medicines play a crucial role in making healthcare more affordable and accessible.
• 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 legislative changes in the 1970s to the expansion of the global generics market, India’s pharmaceutical industry has grown into a powerhouse. Today, India stands as a leader in the global generic drug market, providing life-saving medicines to millions of people worldwide, while continuing to be a vital player in making healthcare affordable for all. Yet, the country’s marginalised populations have limited access to medicines as branded medicines are sold at significantly higher prices than their unbranded generic equivalents, despite being identical in the therapeutic value. Therefore, there is an urgent need to ensure the availability of cheaper generics to citizens; this is in the best interest of these populations.