Generic & Biosimilars medicines in India

Very true, generic medicines have been the need of the Indian Community for years. It is getting its due recognition & we can now find generic medicines shops in more places. In fact shops specifically for generic medicines are being setup. May be government is giving subsidies & incentives to set them up. I think the margin in Generic medicines will be less but it is very useful for all of us.

However I have a doubt regarding its quality, I am of the opinion that it may be of less quality than normal branded medicines.

epraneeth77 wrote:

Very true, generic medicines have been the need of the Indian Community for years. It is getting its due recognition & we can now find generic medicines shops in more places. In fact shops specifically for generic medicines are being setup. May be government is giving subsidies & incentives to set them up. I think the margin in Generic medicines will be less but it is very useful for all of us.

However I have a doubt regarding its quality, I am of the opinion that it may be of less quality than normal branded medicines.

Your point regarding quality is correct. There is a general perception that there are greater percentage of impurities in generic medicines and the effectiveness of generic medicines is slightly lesser.

I haven't personally used them, so those who have used them can give the real picture as compared to common perceptions.

epraneeth77 wrote:

I haven't personally used them, so those who have used them can give the real picture as compared to common perceptions.

Actually perception is the wrong word which I used. I meant to say that it is a common finding and a scientific fact that generic medicines have little more impurities and are little less effective than non-generic brand medicines.

epraneeth77 wrote:

Very true, generic medicines have been the need of the Indian Community for years. It is getting its due recognition & we can now find generic medicines shops in more places. In fact shops specifically for generic medicines are being setup. May be government is giving subsidies & incentives to set them up. I think the margin in Generic medicines will be less but it is very useful for all of us.

However I have a doubt regarding its quality, I am of the opinion that it may be of less quality than normal branded medicines.

No I am not agree with it, that quality of generic medicines will be less. Generic medicines are effective as other medicines. I am giving here example. I am using anti diabetes tablet. Tablet which is prescribe by doctor is of Rs 11. I am using tablet of other company having same salt and it effective one. Its cost is only 5.75 Rs.

arjun sai wrote:

epraneeth77 wrote:

I haven't personally used them, so those who have used them can give the real picture as compared to common perceptions.

Actually perception is the wrong word which I used. I meant to say that it is a common finding and a scientific fact that generic medicines have little more impurities and are little less effective than non-generic brand medicines.

Purities can be improved with close supervision of government. Indeed non generic medicines are expensive because heavy sale expenses and commission of doctors. If you buy medicines of Cipla company form wholesaler, you have to pay 40 to 50 % less than printed price.

I feel that government should work on improving the standards of generic medicine. Medicine and other health care facilities need to be more affordable to majority.

anil wrote:

epraneeth77 wrote:

Very true, generic medicines have been the need of the Indian Community for years. It is getting its due recognition & we can now find generic medicines shops in more places. In fact shops specifically for generic medicines are being setup. May be government is giving subsidies & incentives to set them up. I think the margin in Generic medicines will be less but it is very useful for all of us.

However I have a doubt regarding its quality, I am of the opinion that it may be of less quality than normal branded medicines.

No I am not agree with it, that quality of generic medicines will be less. Generic medicines are effective as other medicines. I am giving here example. I am using anti diabetes tablet. Tablet which is prescribe by doctor is of Rs 11. I am using tablet of other company having same salt and it effective one. Its cost is only 5.75 Rs.

Thank you for your personal insight!

anil wrote:

arjun sai wrote:

epraneeth77 wrote:

I haven't personally used them, so those who have used them can give the real picture as compared to common perceptions.

Actually perception is the wrong word which I used. I meant to say that it is a common finding and a scientific fact that generic medicines have little more impurities and are little less effective than non-generic brand medicines.

Purities can be improved with close supervision of government. Indeed non generic medicines are expensive because heavy sale expenses and commission of doctors. If you buy medicines of Cipla company form wholesaler, you have to pay 40 to 50 % less than printed price.

My grandfather has good knowledge in medicine. Whenever doctor prescribe some medicine, he will suggest to buy the generic of that medicine which have same salt. It always helps in saving a few bucks. But still the research is in progress how to reduce the cost as well as impurities in generic medicine.

Arunima Singh wrote:

I feel that government should work on improving the standards of generic medicine. Medicine and other health care facilities need to be more affordable to majority.

When treatment is become expensive every day, that it is duty of government to provide us treatment at reasonable cost. Every government hospital have long line of patients. Doctor can give only 2-3 mints to check a patient. These patients can not go to private hospital because of expensive medicines and pathlogical test. Generic medicine can help in solving this problem.

anil wrote:

Arunima Singh wrote:

I feel that government should work on improving the standards of generic medicine. Medicine and other health care facilities need to be more affordable to majority.

When treatment is become expensive every day, that it is duty of government to provide us treatment at reasonable cost. Every government hospital have long line of patients. Doctor can give only 2-3 mints to check a patient. These patients can not go to private hospital because of expensive medicines and pathlogical test. Generic medicine can help in solving this problem.

Even in private hospitals we do not get the deserved time and attention from the doctor despite of paying a high fees.

Moreover, there is a nexus between doctors and these drug brands and this nexus does not care about the real health of people. You are prescribed a drug of a specific brand only because the doctor gets a cut off from the sale of the drug. I have been a victim of this. I was prescribed a drug that was so expensive and was not needed by me. In fact it was banned for diabetics. This doctor gave me number of a supplier and I bought the medicine in bulk. But my health condition deteriorated fast. Then I took second opinion from one of my relative who is a doctor who asked me to stop it ASAP. So I paid huge amount on a drug and consumed it for 6 months and it caused harm to me. And there is no straight law to help patients like me. The only thing I could do is to warn people against that doctor.

Arunima Singh wrote:

anil wrote:

Arunima Singh wrote:

I feel that government should work on improving the standards of generic medicine. Medicine and other health care facilities need to be more affordable to majority.

When treatment is become expensive every day, that it is duty of government to provide us treatment at reasonable cost. Every government hospital have long line of patients. Doctor can give only 2-3 mints to check a patient. These patients can not go to private hospital because of expensive medicines and pathlogical test. Generic medicine can help in solving this problem.

Even in private hospitals we do not get the deserved time and attention from the doctor despite of paying a high fees.

Moreover, there is a nexus between doctors and these drug brands and this nexus does not care about the real health of people. You are prescribed a drug of a specific brand only because the doctor gets a cut off from the sale of the drug. I have been a victim of this. I was prescribed a drug that was so expensive and was not needed by me. In fact it was banned for diabetics. This doctor gave me number of a supplier and I bought the medicine in bulk. But my health condition deteriorated fast. Then I took second opinion from one of my relative who is a doctor who asked me to stop it ASAP. So I paid huge amount on a drug and consumed it for 6 months and it caused harm to me. And there is no straight law to help patients like me. The only thing I could do is to warn people against that doctor.

That's horrible . .honestly , medical and moral ethics is lost these days. Doctors have become scrupulous , ready to do anything for money. I have seen how doctors prescribe the most expensive medication even when there is a cheaper alternative . Most of the leading drug companies organise holidays for doctors and give other benefits 

usha manohar wrote:

Arunima Singh wrote:

anil wrote:

Arunima Singh wrote:

I feel that government should work on improving the standards of generic medicine. Medicine and other health care facilities need to be more affordable to majority.

When treatment is become expensive every day, that it is duty of government to provide us treatment at reasonable cost. Every government hospital have long line of patients. Doctor can give only 2-3 mints to check a patient. These patients can not go to private hospital because of expensive medicines and pathlogical test. Generic medicine can help in solving this problem.

Even in private hospitals we do not get the deserved time and attention from the doctor despite of paying a high fees.

Moreover, there is a nexus between doctors and these drug brands and this nexus does not care about the real health of people. You are prescribed a drug of a specific brand only because the doctor gets a cut off from the sale of the drug. I have been a victim of this. I was prescribed a drug that was so expensive and was not needed by me. In fact it was banned for diabetics. This doctor gave me number of a supplier and I bought the medicine in bulk. But my health condition deteriorated fast. Then I took second opinion from one of my relative who is a doctor who asked me to stop it ASAP. So I paid huge amount on a drug and consumed it for 6 months and it caused harm to me. And there is no straight law to help patients like me. The only thing I could do is to warn people against that doctor.

That's horrible . .honestly , medical and moral ethics is lost these days. Doctors have become scrupulous , ready to do anything for money. I have seen how doctors prescribe the most expensive medication even when there is a cheaper alternative . Most of the leading drug companies organise holidays for doctors and give other benefits 

Today's people need to analyse doctor's trend of giving medicines, what kind of medicines he gives generally, understand from patients their response to their ailment & then go to Doctor. Today going to Doctor should be a rarity, only then will the Doctors realise the importance of giving correct medicines to patients. 

We have to look out for home remedies in the first place & then lastly resort to Doctors, that too good Doctor based on our knowledge & experience. In fact, we as patients should have a pharmaceutical knowledge to some extent by our own experience on the basis of which we can judge and then make a decision collectively & then go to a Doctor. Nobody can depend on Doctor blindly believing that he is a god who serves his people. Today's Doctor's quality is so poor that a Patient is doing the half work of the Doctor & the Doctor if he does his half work correctly, only then is the purpose served, else he becomes a long term customer to him.

Cruel world outside. Previously I did not have much knowledge about medicines as I was more or less healthy & I was wondering why all people talk about Doctors badly, they are treating well only na. Then after my health deteriorated & I started visiting around 10 to 15 Doctors for a single ailment did I understand what Doctors are made up of, commercial, deceptive, ill knowledged to trap customers for long run, create more side effects which are more than the ailment itself.

First thing should be to take good care of health through natural methods like Yoga, exercise, Gym as a person's type of body suits in the morning. Then one should turn towards Home remedies, Ayurveda & Homeo. Thereafter can one think of Doctors that too after thorough analysis.

Arunima Singh wrote:

anil wrote:

Arunima Singh wrote:

I feel that government should work on improving the standards of generic medicine. Medicine and other health care facilities need to be more affordable to majority.

When treatment is become expensive every day, that it is duty of government to provide us treatment at reasonable cost. Every government hospital have long line of patients. Doctor can give only 2-3 mints to check a patient. These patients can not go to private hospital because of expensive medicines and pathlogical test. Generic medicine can help in solving this problem.

Even in private hospitals we do not get the deserved time and attention from the doctor despite of paying a high fees.

Moreover, there is a nexus between doctors and these drug brands and this nexus does not care about the real health of people. You are prescribed a drug of a specific brand only because the doctor gets a cut off from the sale of the drug. I have been a victim of this. I was prescribed a drug that was so expensive and was not needed by me. In fact it was banned for diabetics. This doctor gave me number of a supplier and I bought the medicine in bulk. But my health condition deteriorated fast. Then I took second opinion from one of my relative who is a doctor who asked me to stop it ASAP. So I paid huge amount on a drug and consumed it for 6 months and it caused harm to me. And there is no straight law to help patients like me. The only thing I could do is to warn people against that doctor.

There are very relevant & effective laws like Consumer Courts, etc. But India as is known is good to frame policies & keep them in the museum so that people will come and appreciate the knowledge that we have. But in reality nothing transpires, slow processing, corruption leaves our hopes to air. There is no guarantee that the plaintiff will get justice. 

Due to its slow processing & corruption apart from less awareness, people do not even go there. The people in Consumer Courts which are of government sit happily earn, sleep, live a sedate & inactive lifestyle. This is what our India is made up of.