In the last episode of Satyamev Jayate, the topic raised was Healthcare in India. I felt that in this episode many facets related to healthcare in India were aptly handled. One of the issues raised was of the exorbitant cost of medicines and the need to make generic medicines available within the reach of all. I admire Dr. Samit Sharma who has helped in setting up many of these generic medicine shops with the help of Rajasthan government in Rajasthan. I do hope that this initiative can be taken to other states as well. In this context, I would like to re-post a post I did on generic medicines a few months back. I hope, it can help more people buy generic medicines and clear the myth that these generic medicines might be spurious or fake because they are cheap.
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Many of us are aware of the difference between generic drugs and branded drugs. For those who are not, generic is the chemical ingredient of the drug and brand name is the particular name by which the drug is sold by individual pharmaceutical companies. Just like other branded goods, branded drugs are expensive, sometimes manifold. But unlike clothes, cars, jewellery, drugs do not really offer a show-off value or possession quotient. All one cares for is the drug to alleviate the symptoms it is meant to alleviate and be pure and safe. Hence, paying for the branding of the drug versus a generic is a wasteful expense.
To give an example paracetamol (a common painkiller and fever reducer) is very commonly sold as Crocin or dolo in India. In this case, there might not be too much price differential between the brand and the generic. But those who take Tylenol in the US will agree that there is quite a price gap between it and its generic available.
Now, I am not trying to show off my understanding of drugs here. I’ve known and noticed that doctors regularly prescribe branded drugs (often very costly), offering no perceivable additional benefits as compared to their generic that are priced at a fraction of cost. My dog was prescribed Augmentin 625mg recently as an antibiotic. The cost of 10 tabs is approximately Rs. 440. Augmentin is regularly prescribed for both kids and adults. Its generic counterpart having the same chemical composition (amoxicillin and clavulanate) costs Rs. 108. You see the difference of 3 times, yet 2 doctors prescribed this, and I had to specifically ask the pharmacy to give me the generic.
A month back, my dog was prescribed Nizoral tabs for a fungal infection. I was told to give it for 6 weeks and just 3 days’ supply costs Rs. 250 (no exaggeration)! On calling up the vet and cajoling her, she prescribed an alternative grisovin by Glaxo that costed Rs. 15 for a week’s dose. This is a huge price difference! You will find this happening for many drugs. Do compare the costs of various OTC (over-the-counter) vitamin supplements available at your pharmacist and see for yourself. You are being fleeced and end up paying pharma companies because they are telling your doctor (giving commissions) to prescribe you expensive drugs.
For OTC and commonly used drugs, it would help to check for the generic alternatives. Your pharmacy person can easily guide you, and you can compare the chemical composition along with potency. You can even call up your Doctor, and I’ve done that many times, and they have told me the generic name when I said that the drug they prescribed is too expensive and the pharmacy person is suggesting an alternative and cross-checking with the doctor if it is fine.
So, demand information, use information, browse the net and don’t get fleeced. There is a huge scam going on in vaccinations too. Doctors often ask for useless vaccines or expensive ones of the same variety to be given. Their cut can be as high as 50%. Doctors will not even tell you the difference and ask you to take the expensive one. Do ask in detail about vaccination. I have personally been fleeced here.
Please see this link to understand why and how are generic drugs cheaper yet safe
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=46204
Footnote: Please be careful when buying generic substitutes from unknown pharmaceutical companies due to so many fakes available in the market. But many times good generic substitutes from reputed pharmaceutical companies are available at a lesser cost as in the examples given above. At least try asking your doctor, most good doctors do give you a substitute. Even good vets give. I have experienced this umpteen times. Many of them are not willing to risk their reputation when their patient insists upon asking for a perfectly acceptable cheaper substitute (if available).
PS: Image courtesy: ddpavumba / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Very nice and informative post!
thank you very much, Saks. Thanks for your visit too.
Hi mam,
I want to know the process and requirements to open a generic medical store.
I am sorry I have no information about that.
Thank you.
DEE has left a new comment on your post “Go generic!”:
very much informative !
thanks a ton 🙂
Thanks Dee.
good post rachna awesome …
i also created a simple blog in his honour
http://www.drsamitsharma.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing and visiting.
well I am the one who did not know about it , and it was actually my mama ji who had come to visit me when i had gone to india. Who informed me about all this , when he went to the chemist and asked for the particualr salt (i think) rather then the medicine name and it was funny to see the tablet that the doctor has prescribed had exactly same salts in it , as the one my mama ji bought for peanuts …
This program is indeed opening everyone’s eyes and I hope more and more people are able to get the medicines at such a cheap price..
Bikram’s
The program is definitely an eye opener, and good that your mamaji told you about it.
Rachna,
Thanks for sharing this information. I buy medicines from known chemist who suggests substitute costing less.
Take care
And, that is the best Jack uncle. If you know a trusted chemist and a trusted doctor then nothing can be better than that.
Informative post…I wish it was that simple in the US too…Tylenol as such is expensive and won’t work half as much as crocin does…
It is actually not that difficult in the US either. At least, OTC generic substitutes are easily available. For prescriptions too, you can ask your pharmacy person and they are normally helpful.
It is always better to buy medicines from an established chemist.
Incidentally,though i watch Aamir’s programme but my question remains unanswered–Do we really need a celebrity to tell us of the ills of which we are already aware???
Yes, it is important to buy it from a good chemist. To your question — the answer is that we don’t need a celebrity to tell us about the ills that exist. But, it is helpful if a celebrity does spread awareness. When I did this post about generic medicines 5 months back, lot of commenters said that they are not sure that generics are good, that they still equated branded drugs with quality. Hopefully, by bringing Dr. Samit Sharma’s work in focus, people might understand that generic drugs are actually desirable. Then, there are so many other issues that people might not even be aware of. My point is what is the harm in spreading awareness and why not try to change something. By not doing anything also are we achieving any goal?
Well said Rachana!!
It was certainly an eye- opener.. but I am still not sure if pharmacy will give me generic just by reading the name of the medicine in my prescription. So how will I get to the generic name?
You don’t read the name. Just ask your pharmacy, “do you have a generic for this?” You will be surprised that most of them will give you the generic drug like I told you. Even your doctor will if you ask them because good doctors do not wish to malign their reputation.
Good and informative post Rachma.
Thank you Rama!
Oh yes, generic drugs from companies which follow GMP guidelines should be taken, coz these drugs can be manufactured even a cow shed or a garage and these might not have the therapeutic dose and may have sub standard raw material!
Shilpa, you are absolutely right. We have to be careful about the company manufacturing the generic. And, how I wish that government would take up building these generic medicine shops like in Rajasthan.
Yes generics can be easy on the pocket but then there are situations in which you cannot research but go in for a branded drug.
Also I have experienced that the efficacy of tender medicine is less. Like the crocin which my parents get in steel plant hospital is less effective than the pandol which I buy from here. Also after my delivery my wound (C-section)was not healing (the sutures had dropped off but the area was still sore). Then the Gynaec suggested to get an antibiotic from outside. And voila in 1 day it had all dried up.
There are situations definitely. I would still say check with your doctor or a good pharmacist. I haven’t faced the situation that you have. And, being a Chemistry graduate, I have faith in chemical compositions more than brand names :), though I am a Marketing professional too ;-).
hi Rachna
i am looking for generic medical store. can you please provide me address or phone no. of generic medical store in rajasthan in bangalore.
I wish I knew. There is no such store in Bangalore. But, at the normal pharmacies, you can ask the pharmacist for a generic substitute. Be sure to buy a substitute from a known company only.
A nice article.Branded medicines have certain add ons that generic lack.We may tell the specialist doctors to prescribe cheaper alternatives.Genrally they, the senior doctors, dont spend much time discussing the formulations.For ordinary ailments we can buy a paracetamol but when it comes to special drugs it is difficult for lay man to decide what to buy.Even for the same composition with same ingredients prices vary from company to company.
You did well to point out the abundance of duplicates in the market where the druggists would offer discounts.The best policy is to buy from reputed pharmacists even if no discount is given.
I agree KP Sir. But, it is worth asking the doctor. He will say that there is no substitute or this is the best. I have seen the good pharmacies are reliable too. They will offer a substitute and then one can check back with the doctor to see if that can be taken. I hate the feeling of being taken for a ride, and I like to make an informed choice. The combinations can vary in a drug but the active ingredients must be in the same dosage. Other add ons might not matter much in order for you to pay additional cost.
It is a long story. But I see something cooking here in the newfound interest in medicines. Media including satyamev Jayate knowlingly or unknowlingly become part slow public opinion creation by sectors in industry. Of late, many hospitals, drug stores and some organization are trying to sell medicines to poor at a lesser rate. They call it “corporate Responsibility”. Bulk turnover for such otlets increase who are still selling for a hefty margin albeit 10 -15%less than M.R.P. Are we seeing the slow planned disappearence of the neighbourhood medical store as medicine retail becomes monopoly of few?
I don’t know if there are any conspiracy theories here. I bought the generic drugs from my neighbourhood pharmacies and thought of sharing the information.
I once bought cipro in India. I think it was generic. I couldn’t believe how inexpensive it was!
Aren’t we aware of what pharma companies are capable of in terms of pricing.
Rachna, the catch in buying generic drugs, as you have yourself warned, is the risk of ending up with spurious drugs. A serious Catch 22, isn’t it?
And, that is why I am saying that the educated among us do this who can judge if the manufacturer is a known company like Cipla, Glaxo, Torrent, Zydus etc. and not some local faltu manufacturer. It is something worth trying,and you can always double check with the doctor and the chemist both.
informative one…..and yes one must go to a reputed pharmacist….
Thank you, Irfan!
This is the first piece that I am reading about this episode of SMJ, while paeans were written on the previous three. I felt that this was even more relevant since it encompassed the entire population of the country and requires urgent readdress. We need more doctors, who are committed to their professions and have empathy and sympathy for the patients. I remember you writing about this before. Why not link it?
I agree Zephyr. Healthcare touches each one of us, and I am sure each one has a tale about an incompetent doctor or exorbitant medicines. I found this episode to be really well researched with many aspects covered. I have written about the sham of private hospitals and diagnostic labs and useless tests as well in the past. I wanted to share this post in its entirety here as not many people actually go to the shared link. I was hoping that more people read this for the sake of information.
Now a days govt advertises also, but many people have this feeling that more expensive the medicine better it..and most of big hospital doctors always prescribe expensive ones,as their own pharmacy will benefit with the sales.
I have noticed that too. People are trained to think that expensive things are better quality.
Very good post Rachna, this episode was a real eye opener…
Thank you Ash! This thing with doctors is becoming more alarming day by day.
“An ideal prescription must contain the generic name of the drug with correct dosage and duration with specific instruction if any.” That’s what docs are taught at medical colleges.
And that is the perfect answer to our woes. So, why aren’t most doctors doing it?
I remember this post very well. I had told my dad about it and only yesterday he told me that he saw it on Satyamev Jayte. 🙂
A very informative post. I am so glad you brought it to us even before Aamir did! 🙂
Thank you Destiny’s child. I was thrilled to read that you discussed it with your dad :). I sure hope that more of us are aware of these.
this show is really an eye opener and gives a real picture behind the curtain …
all topics are wonderful…its jus amazin to see the statistical figures and reality …country needs to be on high alert with burning topics !
I was not aware of generic drugs before. We have a family doctor, who is having his own pharmacy. I guess he also has generic drugs there, because they are not always branded.
But tell me one thing. If cipla is releasing a drug by some name, why should they offer the same drug as a generic with reduced prices? Beats me!
Destination Infinity
See this article: It will clarify your doubts about why generic medicines are cheaper even when produced by known companies.
Oops the link is here
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=46204
agar hamari NGO ne GENERIC Medicines ko punjab mai shuru karna hai ,,tho kya karna hoga?? kya procedure hai??
Sir, procedure to mujhe pata nahin hai par aap Dr. Samit Sharma ko contact kar lijiye aur woh aapko guide kar sakte hai.
You are an idiot! The branded medicines are always better than the generic ones. Your pig head will just not know the difference. What do you think? You are a doctor to know what is good or bad. There will be a time when someone close to you will die because of your stupidity. Stop propagating filth through your blog posts.
Dear Anonymous, I am gathering you are not a doctor but a fortune teller for sure! Clearly your crystal ball and lead head seems to have all figured out. BTW the post was in English, in case you missed it. Talking about something that invariably happens in the system seems so awful that you had to summon the Gods of Death for help. Tch, tch….by the way what brand of brains do you use? So tempted to write my name here….but need to be on the same page as you. You clearly do not have the ‘balls’ (crystal or otherwise) to have an argument on the face. Hence to stoop to your level….I will write in animously too!
@ Rachna….very informative post. Please don’t let faceless creeps like these bother you….they secretly admire you, just can’t bring themselves to be called as a fan 😛
Anonymous Have the guts to use your name when you want to do name calling. I refuse to even respond to creeps like you who don’t have basic courtesy let alone have anything of value to offer.
@Animous Thanks! And your encouragement sure helps.
Thanks Rachna for valuable information. Do you have a list of Generic Stores? Address and contact details so we can buy medicines from there.
Sejal
Hi Sejal, I am sorry but I don’t have any list of stores. I just go to the normal pharmacies and ask them for the generic equivalents as I mentioned in the post. There are no such shops in Karnataka. This initiative, as far as I know, is there only in Rajasthan.
can we get generic products online
I don’t think so.
wonderful and very informative. Can we get generic products list ? From where ?
No, I am not aware of the generic products list. Your pharmacy person can normally guide you. Most pharmacies do offer you assistance.
Hey Rachna..u did an excellent job by writing this informative piece in ur blog.to b very frank i had nvr heard of generic medicines and if aamir khan is doing his bit to raise the awareness among generalpublic regarding social issues, let him do the noble cause people…now every medical store does not cooperate regarding generic drugs..it would be better if v get the list of stores..i knw u doest knw d stores except rajasthan..can i have the address or phone number of any generic drug store in rajasthan? i am looking for a generic substitute for an expensive branded injection for my father..it would b of a very great help if i cud get the phone number…….SABITA
Thank you Sabita. I really do not have any list with me. You can try contacting Dr. Samit Sharma. Do a google search and write to him. He might be able to help you with the list.
i need ur help in this regard
help me
ph : 09910287980
i want know about generic stores so that i can buy medicines.
i desperately need medicines for my brother who had a kidney transplant a year ago.
tell me from where and how i can buy these generic medicines.
help me and you can call me at 09910287980
Deepak Yadav
Gurgaon
Hi Deepak, I wish I could help you. I really do not know where you can get generic medicines in Gurgaon. Have you checked with the normal pharmacies that you go to and asked for generics or take your doctor’s help.
Hi Deepak, My father is also a kidney transplant patient. Please let me know what all medicines are used by your brother..May be I can help you on medicines…SABITA
Hi Guys,
Thanks for your post Rachna…. It was very useful for me and everyone who had gone through this post… as some of them asked abt the list of medicines and there cost in the generic edition of the tablets. I found a list and the price list for those tablets on the Rajastan government site….
You can check that list here…http://www.rmsc.nic.in/pdf/Ordered%20drugs%20with%20approved%20price.pdf and for the particular tablet one can do a Google and check the composition of that particular tablet and buy that from any pharmacitical store which is available at there location…..by the way I dont know much abt it but thought of sharing it as I found it useful for me…..
Hi anonymous, Thanks for your kind words and for the link. Wish you would comment under your own identity. I like to reach out to real people :). I also do what you say, but I wouldn’t advise people who don’t know how to read dosages and basic chemical component to do this on their own. A pharmacist is the best bet.
Hi Rachana, Can u check with Drugs Control Department. contacts are available in below url.
http://www.karunadu.gov.in/drugscontrol/Pages/contactus.aspx
I want to open a Generic medicine shop in my Home town to help those who are not able to pay for branded medicines..
Is there anyone who can help in just telling me the right procedure to open it ????
i want to open genric medicine store in my town ,so that i can help those who can not afford costly medicine.so rachana can you please tell how i can open and whom i have to contact?please reply soon so that i can save every second and add to those who need a single second more.
Hi Abhishek and Vicky, I appreciate your sentiments, but I cannot help you in this regard. You can try contacting Dr. Samit Sharma. Do a google search and write to him or google search about opening a generic medicine store. I wish you the best.
i want to open a generic medical store in my town
i want ur help
Hi Rachna, Thanks for the post. Can you please suggest how can I get generic supplyment for “pneumococcal” injection for 3 month old baby. I have emailed Samit Sharma rmsc@nic.in awaiting response.
Regards,
Kiran
Bangalore
Sorry Rachna “pneumococcal” injection costs Rs 16000
Regards,
Kiran
Bangalore
good work Rachna.. really appreciate ur efforts
Can you tell me the names of generic medicine stores in Rajasthan.
I am dinessh from tamil Nadu .My father is a dapatic patient we are spending 3500 for month for his tablets.please help me can i have generic medical shops contacts plese.
hi., i really need to know the names of generic drug pharmacy in and around Bangalore..
Is there any site converting brand name of medicine to a generic name becoz chemists say get us generic name.
thanks
Dear Friend,
I am Randhir Pankaj from “PRATHAM AGENCY” engaged in operating and opening privately held “GENERIC MEDICINES SHOP” in different place district wise specially in BIHAR, JHARKHAND, ODISHA, WEST BENGAL
I assure you a good and long term relationship with us. I have own chain of Generic Shop. If any body interested in “Zeneric Zone” a Generic Medicine Shop, please e-mail at zenericzone@gmail.com with following details:-
1. Name:-
2. Complete postal address:-
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4.Location Of Shop:-
5.No Of Shop:-`
6.Contact No:-
7.DL/TIN No:-
8.E-mail Address:-
“WE WILL HELP YOU IN EACH & EVERY STEPS”
RANDHIR KR PANKAJ
ZENERIC ZONE
(DIRECTOR)
HI FRIENDS,
IF ANY BODY IS INTERESTED IN OPENING A GENERIC MEDICINES SHOP SPECIALLY IN POOR STATE LIKE BIHAR, JHARKHAND, ODISHA AND WEST BENGAL PLZ CONTACT AT zenericzone@gmail.com
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This is finally something good happening as far as medicines and healthcare is concerned. I have been from a doctors family, opted out of this profession, know how this stuff affects doctors, Govt., chemists, etc. But in the end would benefit people. Also came across a website named healthkartplus.com, which allows generic drug search with price listing. There wasn’t anything like this for Indian users. Looks good. Your take! Has anybody else also tried this?
Thanks Rachna for sharing this info.
Also, Bhaskar healthkartplus is too good providing the generic substitutes. Following website also provide you such info:
http://www.medguideindia.com
It totally depends on the database of these site contain as there are lots of manufacturers having the number of substitutes for each composition. If anyone reading this post please share the other websites also which provide such valuable info.
Thanks in Advance.
Anurag
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I want to open a generic medical store
Tell me the whole process to open it in goarakhpur so that I can provide the best medicine to the poor villagers at cheep price please help me
Thanks
I am sorry, Rakesh. I have no idea about the process involved.