The government needs to direct the medical profession to prescribe generic drugs, which are available at almost half the cost of branded products. This will surely help in bringing healthcare costs for the aam aadmi
 
On 20th September, the Group of Ministers, led by Sharad Pawar, Union agricultural minister, will take a call on the need to bring in some 350 essential medicines under price control. At the moment, there are 74 drugs under the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), which was promulgated in 1995.
 
The National Pharmaceutical Policy, drafted last year, has been kept in abeyance due to the methodology proposed to be followed in fixing the ceiling prices, because of difference of opinions.
 
In the meantime, the Supreme Court has asked the government to come up with a decision on drug pricing within two weeks, failing which, it will pass an interim order.
 
Now, let's take a look at couple of case studies relating to the subject.
 
In the first case, the high blood pressure patient has been using, under expert medical advice, both Tenormin and Plendl, for more than 15 years, which has enabled him to keep his BP under control. While Tenormin is available, a few months ago, Plendl, manufactured by AstraZeneca went off the market, first with 2.5 mg tablets and soon followed by 5 mg. Now the stockists/drug stores do not get any supplies and distributors do not have any answer. No announcements were made in the media as why these are no longer in the market. Why they were withdrawn or production stopped, for that matter, is also not known.
 
When the regular customers sought assistance from drug stores, they were politely suggested to contact their personal doctor for advice.
 
This was followed by a visit to the specialist and after the patient got a generic equivalent, used it for a brief trial period, maintained the records for body reactions, the doctor advised continuation of the new prescription, as this was compatible.  The cost of medicine worked out cheaper too.
 
In the case of the second patient, who is under medication for diabetes, he was prescribed Amaryl P, manufactured by Aventis Pharma, which he found to be effective and useful, but extremely expensive, as it was literally beyond his monetary means, being a junior level employee, earning a meagre salary.
 
While exchanging views on the high cost of medication these days, this issue was brought up, as Karnataka state health minister, SA Ramdas (no relative to the writer), had gone around propagating the need to open up generic drug stores, offering medications at comparatively low costs, upsetting the drug stores who were selling products made by leading branded pharmaceutical companies. Thus there has been opposition to the opening of generic drug stores by obvious vested interests, but minister SA Ramdas seems to be bent upon supporting this programme to alleviate the grievances of the common man.
 
Now the issue on hand is what should the government do? We all know that India is a leading exporter of various drug formulations and pharmaceutical exports are playing a vital role in the development of the industry. They are able to supply a great number of medicines at relatively low prices to meet the needs of the “aam aadmi”. And why not?
 
If and when the group of Ministers take a call on the issue of bringing the essential medicines under the Price Control Order, they would do well to consider a rider, and that of directing the medical profession to prescribe medication needs with generic names.
 
Also, it is in the interest of the patient to seek advice of his/her personal (family) physician for the generic names (if not voluntarily given), and or to consult the friendly drug store pharmacist to look up the (yellow) book to find the best available cheaper alternative. Of course, there is the urgent need to get the doctor’s approval for use. We should also remember that self-medication is dangerous. Period.
 
 Without doubt, generic medicines are cheaper, as much as 50% than the branded products, but one needs to get the approval of the doctor before even using them; chances are that the doctor him/herself will prescribe the use, on a trial basis, and strictly maintaining the records for detailed examination before deciding to advice on usage, dosage, etc.
 
In a country like India, where medical insurance is in its infancy, the patient, you and me, need to consult the family physician before taking any steps that may be detrimental to our health! After all, there is no harm in asking for the generic name from the family physician.
 
It will save us our health and wealth!

(AK Ramdas has worked with the Engineering Export Promotion Council of the ministry of commerce and was associated with various committees of the Council. His international career took him to places like Beirut, Kuwait and Dubai at a time when these were small trading outposts; and later to the US. He can be contacted at [email protected].)