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. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched to promote the use of generic medicines and reduce healthcare costs for the masses.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)
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.
Generic Medicines in India: A Revolution in Affordable Healthcare
- 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.
- Most people worry about the quality and effectiveness of generic medicines because generic drugs are not as costly as compared to branded drugs.
- I urge young researchers to work towards standardizing and benchmarking Indian systems of medicine.
- Our medications are sourced from Indian certified manufacturers and meet global regulatory standards.
- Regarding non-communicable diseases (NCDs), he outlined considerable progress in the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke.
- They must be approved by regulatory authorities like the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in India.
- Many patients are unaware that generic medicines contain the same active ingredients as branded drugs and are equally effective.
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.
- From legislative changes in the 1970s to the expansion of the global generics market, India’s pharmaceutical industry has grown into a powerhouse.
- Due to the ability of the Indian pharma companies to produce drugs at economical rates, the cost of HIV/AIDS treatment has gone down to $400 per year from $12,000 – a spectacular contribution to global healthcare.
- 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).
- 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.
- The fixation of ceiling prices on medicines has resulted in a total saving of USD 392 million since May 2014.
- With years of experience and partnerships across the pharmaceutical industry, we guarantee timely and secure delivery.
- Generic medicines are much cheaper because they do not involve the initial research and marketing costs of branded medicines.
- The article discusses the types of medicines available through the scheme, quality standards, certification process, pricing, and benefits to the general public.
What Are Generic Medicines?
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. The initiative aims to make essential medicines more accessible and affordable through resolute PMBJK outlets. While the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY) has promoted the use of generic medicines, there is still a lack of awareness about the benefits of generics among the general public and even some healthcare professionals. Many patients are unaware that generic medicines contain the same active ingredients as branded drugs and are equally effective. Generic medicines in India must adhere to the same regulatory standards as branded drugs. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) oversees the approval and regulation of generic medicines to ensure they meet high standards of safety, efficacy, and quality.
Drug Price List: Generics and Matching Brands
Government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare professionals should launch awareness campaigns to educate the public about the benefits of generic medicines. Patients should be informed that generic drugs are just as effective as branded drugs but at a lower price. 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. PMBJP stores have been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.
Drug Resources
The history of generic medicines in India reflects the country’s commitment to ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare. 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. In recent years, generic medicines in India have emerged as a powerful tool in making healthcare more affordable and accessible to millions of people.
Safety of generic medicines
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.
Global Reach
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.
Apply for Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra
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.
How do generic medicines promote health equity?
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 imatinib price in singapore 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.
Recently, these initiatives have already been started by a few state governments in India. 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.
Quality Assurance
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. Medkart Pharmacy stands out by actively promoting awareness and accessibility to generic medicines online and offering cost-effective healthcare solutions to our customers.
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.
- India also has a large pool of talented scientists and engineers who have the potential to lead the industry ahead to greater heights.
- Providing essential drugs and medicines at cost-effective prices is the key focus of Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
- This competition, along with the lack of R&D and marketing costs, significantly reduces the price of generic medicines.
- Generic medicines play a crucial role in making healthcare more affordable and accessible.
- All this will have to be achieved without compromising on the affordability of drugs.
- 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.
- Indiangenericprice believes that no one should be deprived of essential healthcare, regardless of their location or financial situation.
India prevents ‘evergreening’ and makes affordable generics possible.
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.
Generic Drugs in India: A Complete Guide
For them, the brand name matters not only in cosmetics, clothes, groceries, and accessories but also in the case of medicines. They have a common notion that generic drugs are available at a low price so they may be of inferior quality. As India continues to address its healthcare challenges, the role of generic medicines will remain vital in ensuring that all individuals have access to the medications they need for maintaining good health.
Need for the Policy
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 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.
- However, more awareness, policy changes, and efforts to improve public perception are needed to fully unlock the potential of generic medicines in India.
- It can depend on the clinical data presented by the innovator’s company for the safety profile of the medicine.
- 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.
- Saying that pharmaceuticals was a priority area for Government, Shri Naidu stressed the need to further harness the potential of the sector by use of technology, innovation and research.
- AbstractThis article provides an overview of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme 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.
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. 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.
- 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.
- Generic drugs are easily available across India, especially with the increasing number of Jan Aushadhi stores in rural and urban areas.
- This allowed for the production of low-cost, generic versions of medicines that were patented in other countries.
- 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.
- Collaborating with 36 distributors selected across states and union territo-ries has further bolstered the supply chain structure.
- India has undertaken a long and arduous, yet rewarding journey in Pharmacology, from the “Charak Samhita” of traditional Indian medicine system, to becoming the third largest drug manufacturer in the world, in terms of volume, in the field of modern medicine.
- The Government revamped ‘Jan Aushadhi Scheme as ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana’ (PMJAY) in September 2015.
- The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched to promote the use of generic medicines and reduce healthcare costs for the masses.
Under this scheme, Jan Aushadhi stores have been set up across India, where generic medicines are sold at affordable prices, making essential drugs accessible even in remote areas. They are accepted globally and are of the same quality with a lesser cost as compared to branded drugs. Moreover, it is easier to get generic medicines directly from online pharmacy 24/7 or in a nearby chemist shop. The generics prove to be a great alternative to branded medicines as they are bioequivalent or identical to branded drugs with comparable therapeutic action. Along with no compromise on quality, it is also cost-effective, as the cost of research and development and drug discovery is not included in the case of generic drugs.
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.
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. 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.
Continued focus on strict regulatory standards is essential to ensure that all generic medicines meet the required quality and safety benchmarks. 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. Despite these changes, Indian pharmaceutical companies continued to thrive by focusing on producing generics for medicines whose patents had expired and exporting them worldwide. A major turning point came in 2005 when India amended its patent laws to comply with the World Trade Organization’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement.
More than 70% of the Indian population lives in rural areas, of which 35% are below the poverty line. 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. 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.
