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Source: The post is based on the article “Steps taken for Promotion of Generic Medicines” published in PIB on 11th August 2023.
What is the News?
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare has informed Lok Sabha about the steps taken by the Government for the promotion of Generic Medicines.
What are the steps taken by the government to promote Generic Medicines?
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): It is a program implemented by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), which operates under the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
– The program aims to provide affordable and high-quality generic medicines to the public.
– It has established around 9,512 dedicated outlets called Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs).These centers offer quality generic medicines at affordable prices. Prices of medicines sold through these outlets are 50-90% less than that of branded medicine prices in the open market.
Janaushadhi Sugam: It is a mobile application that provides information to the public about the location of kendras, helps them search Janaushadhi medicines and compare the maximum retail price of Generic vs. Branded medicines, etc.
Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002: It prescribes that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters.
Directorate General of Health Services has directed all Central Government hospitals to prescribe generic medicines only. Similar instructions also have been issued to ‘prescribe drugs with generic name legibly’ to all CGHS Doctors and Wellness Centres.
Under the free drug initiative of National Health Mission (NHM), support is provided for provision of essential generic drugs free of cost in public health facilities.
In order to ensure quality of the products, the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) procures medicines only from World Health Organization – Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers.
– Apart from this, each batch of drug is tested at laboratories accredited by ‘National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).Only after passing the quality tests, the medicines are dispatched to PMBJP Kendras.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) have taken steps to ensure the quality of generic medicines:
– To make sure medicines work effectively, the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 were changed. Now, when applying for a license to make oral drugs, the applicant must include results from a bioequivalence study.
– The Principal/Health Secretaries of all States/UTs were directed to ensure that licenses for manufacturing drugs are granted or renewed using proper/generic names.
