Generic Medicines vs. Branded Medicines: A Conflict

The pharmaceutical industry plays an important role in the healthcare system of any country. India’s pharmaceutical industry is the third-largest in the world with an estimated value of $41 billion. Pharma companies manufacture generic medicines as well as branded medicines. We know and have consumed branded medicines, most of us do not even know what generic medicines are and how these medicines differ from branded medicines. Consumers in the United States are mostly prescribed generic medicines. According to a report, 90% of the medicines prescribed by doctors in the US are generic. A surprising fact is that more than one-third of these drugs are likely manufactured in India. The country’s ability to produce affordable generic drugs has led to its market reputation of being the “pharmacy of the world” as they say.

Generic medicines are up to 90% cheaper than branded or patented medicines. But, is the price the only factor of difference between generic and the latter variant of medicines. Do they really differ? Generic medicines are cheaper because the pharmaceutical companies who are into manufacturing it does not spend heavy expenses on their research and development, unlike branded medicine companies.

Generic medicines do not differ from the branded medicines except in their prices. Generic drugs are as good as branded as far as the quality and efficacy are concerned. The reason why our doctors do not prescribe and chemists do not consider dispensing generic medicines is that they are lower in price, so the revenue earned by everyone in the supply chain is low. But this model is not building our healthcare system better, moreover, it is preying upon people’s savings.

Indian pharmaceutical sector which is currently valued at the US $41 billion is expected to grow to a $65 billion industry by 2024. We can’t boast about such developments unless the poorest of the poor in our country are able to afford medicines.

Surprisingly the Indian pharmaceuticals market is dominated hugely by generic drugs which constitute nearly 70 percent of the market, whereas over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and patented drugs make up to 21 percent and 9 percent, respectively. The fact that we are exporting most of our generic medicines to other countries but promoting branded drugs in our own country is unfathomable.

Generic medicines are easily available online as well as over the counter, one such initiative we have come across is Zeelab Pharmacy (www.zeelabpharmacy.com) which is the largest pharmacy chain in India. It is selling generic medicines that are up to 90% cheaper than the market price of branded medicines.

We don’t see 70% of generic medicines most often, but most of the branded medicines are promoted in the market by our doctors and every involved in the supply chain. The medicines that doctors prescribe to people suffering from various mild, as well as chronic ailments, are all branded. There are real-life stories where people suffering from various diseases are left in trauma and a feeling that they were being exploited after they exhaust their money on expensive branded medicines.

Keeping in mind our current economic and healthcare scenario, this is high time to ponder upon the betterment of our healthcare system. Switching to generic medicines can bring a revolution in our country’s medicine market. The bottom line is, all the stakeholders of our health industry if work together, can bring transformation to our healthcare system.