New Delhi: All the Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) in India are required to prescribe drugs with generic names in Capital Letters.
It’s notable that a generic drug is a medication created to be the same as an existing approved brand-name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, and performance characteristics. A generic medicine works in the same way and provides the same clinical benefit as its brand-name version.
“Clause 1.5 of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 prescribes that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drug,” the former Minister of State Family and Healthcare Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on March 16, 2021.
The Minister also informed the House that there are provisions for disciplinary action against a doctor who is found to be violating the Regulations.
“Further, the erstwhile Medical Council of India had issued Circular dated 21.04.2017 vide which all the Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) have been directed to comply with the aforesaid provisions. The MCI or the appropriate State Medical Councils have been empowered to take disciplinary action against a doctor for violation of the provision of the aforesaid Regulations,” the Minister said.
‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana’ (PMBJP) was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, and Government of India under which quality generic medicines are sold across the country through dedicated outlets.
“The price of an unbranded generic version of a medicine is generally lower than the price of a corresponding branded medicine”
The price of an unbranded generic version of a medicine is generally lower than the price of a corresponding branded medicine because in the case of a generic version, the pharmaceutical company does not spend money on the promotion of its brand. The sale of a generic version is incentivized by a pharmaceutical company by keeping a high trade margin for wholesalers and retailers.
Choubey also informed Rajya Sabha that the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken various regulatory measures to promote and ensure the quality of generic medicines.
“These include instructions to Licensing Authorities to grant/ renew licenses to manufacture for sale or for distribution of drugs in proper/generic names only, amendment in the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 for making it mandatory to grant license for a drug formulation containing single active ingredient in proper name only, and inclusion of provision in the Rules, 1945 for submission of the result of bioequivalence study along with application for grant of manufacturing license in the case of certain drugs and also provision for joint inspection of manufacturing establishment by the Drugs Inspectors of Central Government and State Government.”
Read the Full PIB Press Release by clicking here.
Do you want to locate the nearest Generic Medicine Store?
Generic medicines are sold across the country through dedicated outlets called Pradhan Mantri Bharitya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK). The scheme was first launched in 2008 under by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in November 2008 under the name Jan Aushadi Scheme.
In September 2015, the scheme was revamped as ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana’ (PMJAY). In November, 2016, to give further impetus to the scheme, it was again renamed as “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana” (PMBJP).
As on September 17, 2021, there are 8278 PMBJKs operational across India.
To view the list of State-wise / District-wise PMBJK along with their locations, click here
Following is the List of Valid Rate Contracts for Generic Medicines as on April 2016.
Following is the Rate Contract for Surgical Items
Jan Aushadhi Sugam (BPPI) App
The Government of India has developed Janaushadhi Sugam Mobile App, which provides citizens the assistance to locate nearby Janaushadhi kendra, direction guided through Google Map for the location of the Janaushadhi Kendra, search Janaushadhi generic medicines, analyze product comparison of Generic and Branded medicine in form of MRP & overall Savings,
To download the Jan Aushadhi Sugam (BPPI) App for Android OS, click here
To download the Jan Aushadhi Sugam (BPPI) App for iOS, click here
What are the options available for Grievance Redressal?
Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) under Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, is the implementation agency for PMBJP.
The PMBI operates a website: https://janaushadhi.gov.in/
It also operates a National Toll-free Helpline: 1800-180-8080.
Complaints can be emailed to complaints@ janaushadhi.gov.in.
(The Writer is Editor, Politics Watch )
