In a move to advance low-cost generic medicines, the government intends to color code such medications to empower consumers to differentiate between generic meds and different meds and take an educated choice while acquiring them from the pharmacist.
Aside from color coding, the government is additionally considering utilization of symbols to make generic medications effectively recognizable. Health Ministry has taken different measures to support the sale of sale of generic medicines over branded ones. For example, it has made it obligatory for drug stores to have separate racks for showing generic drugs and requested that doctors prescribe drug by generic names in clear handwriting.
The drug regulator has likewise requested that organizations print generic names on their labels in a font which is two times bigger than the brand name. The government is additionally fortifying the backend production network to advance Jan Aushadhi stores, which sells just generic drugs. At present, there are more than 3,000 such stores across the nation. The proposal to color code generic meds was examined at a recent Drugs Consultative Committee meeting.
The coding framework is probably going to be like that utilized in food products to separate among vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Assessments show that in excess of 70 per cent of the Rs 1 lakh crore local pharmaceutical markets are dominated by branded generics though patented drugs establish around 9 per cent.
A year ago, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) had raised worry over the high trade margins incorporated into costs of branded medicines. The anti-trust regulator had requested that the government discover components to advance generic medicines. In an approach note, the CCI said high margins were a type of incentive and an indirect marketing tool utilized by pharma companies.
All drugs have three categories of names:
- International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)
- Non-proprietary or generic (commonly INN)
- Brand name
The International Non-proprietary Name (INN) is an official generic and non-proprietary name given to a pharmaceutical drug or an active ingredient. In India, medicines marketed exclusively with INN names are called generics or generic medicine.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): It is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses. Jan Aushadi stores have been set up to provide generic drugs.