Present scenario of generic medicines in India: A comparative study

Drugs or medicines are those which are used for treatment, diagnosis, mitigation and prevention of diseases. But it’s very expensive. Not or all but for lower and middle class people taking treatment is very difficult because of the cost of the medicines. Many deaths are caused because the patient cannot afford the cost of the medicines. The entry of generic medicines in market brought a revolutionary change in healthcare system and the market share is continuously increasing. The poor and needy sections of the society are getting benefitted because these are authentic, reliable, secure, affordable and accessible for all. Now there is an option available against the high cost branded medicines. Government of India is taking lot of steps to promote the availability of generic medicines both in rural and urban areas and also taking steps to aware people that it is equally safe and effective as that of branded medicines. Many pharmaceutical companies are manufacturing generic medicines and making them available in market through retail outlets. E-pharmacies are also functioning delivering generic medicines at home. Government has opened thousands of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) across the country where one can get generic medicines at much lower cost. The present article is based on the study to know the availability of generic medicines through PMBJK, comparison of prices between generic and branded medicines, reasons for the lower price of generic medicines and except PMBJK where generic medicines are available.