Ahmadabad, August 9, 2016: Despite repeated assertions and directives by
Medical
Council of India (MCI)
and government agencies to make doctors prescribe low-cost generic drugs to
patients, the directives remain still on papers much to the chagrin of common
man.
In the absence of stringent regulations, lack of awareness and
misconception about using low-cost medicines, pharma companies are encouraged
to connive with medical practitioners, both in government and private hospitals
and clinics, to sell their brands to gullible patients at much higher prices.
“Thanks to the strong lobby by the influential multi-national drug
companies, which account for over 90 per cent of drug distribution in India, supported
by doctors and medical stores, generic medicines still remain a far-cry for the
poor in India. High medicine cost and huge hospitalisation bills push many
families into deep debt. In the absence of accountability and stringent regulations,
doctors are at their own freewill to prescribe branded drugs, which cost much
higher than generic drugs, to hapless patients, who have no option but to buy
such medicines even if that means draining their lifetime savings,” rues Ankur Agarwal, CEO, MedKart Pharmacy, who has been spearheading a campaign to
promote life-saving low-cost generic medicines in India.
The government recently came out strongly on doctors for taking patients
for a ride by prescribing them costly medicines instead of low cost variants. The
Chemicals and Fertilizers ministry is said to be in consultation with Health
ministry to draw up a
proposal to rein in on errant medicos who refuse to
prescribe generic medicines, and pharmacists, who don’t stock low-cost
generics.
Not all medicos flout MCI rules and help multi-national companies to fill
their coffers, but unfortunately majority of them do. They should stop entertaining
touts and medical reps around their workplaces and promote generic medicines for
the welfare of patients. To bring defaulters to book, laws should be suitably amended
to make it punishable if doctors write brand names instead of generics, with an
exception to patented drugs, says Ankur.
Another problem the Indian generic market faces is people’s mind-set. As
most of them are used to having branded medicines all along, they often find it
uncomfortable to ask doctors to prescribe generic names.
“People hesitate to ask their physicians
for generics instead of branded medicines, and doctors too, in general, don’t
encourage such practice. However, the Constitution has given them the right to
ask for generic medicines. Sadly, the awareness level among people on generics
is abysmally low. For most of the patients, even among urban folks, ‘generics’ still remains an alien.
It is time people understand
their rights to demand low-cost medicines,”
feels Ankur.
There is also a strong misconception
among people that cheap generic medicines are ineffective and only branded and
costly medicines are safe for consumption. However, it has been proved by
studies, both in India and abroad, that generics are as effective and same in
every aspect as compared to patented or branded counterparts promoted by pharma
companies, explains Ankur.
Unfortunately, doctors
and pharmaceutical companies capitalize this belief to promote their brands,
which are sometime 10 times costlier than low-cost alternatives.
In plain terms, except for patented medicine, almost all branded medicines have
generic alternatives available in the market. These medicines contain the same
chemicals as of branded ones and are approved by appellate medical boards concerned
for safety and health, explains Ankur, who appeals to the medical fraternity to
come out in support of generic medicines for the welfare of poor patients.
About MedKart Pharmacy
Medkart Pharmacy is a leading
generic medicine store which guides patients to get low-cost and quality
generic alternatives from the best pharmaceutical companies following
international quality standards. In the last 18 months alone, MedKart has
helped over 35000 patients to save over Rs 8 crore by switching to generics.
The purpose of launching Medkart was not just to spread the idea and
availability of generic drugs among people but also ignite a campaign against
doctors who are forcing patients to buy the prescribed branded medicines.
Medkart, which has an exhaustive list of medicines, also offers online support
to find the most authentic generic medicine with complete details.
Released through PR Newswire and published in major websites and print publications.
