As many as 103 drug formulation packs, including those used for treating HIV/AIDS, bacterial infections, tuberculosis, high blood pressure, epilepsy, Hepatitis C and diabetes, will become cheaper with price regulator NPPA fixing their ceiling prices.
The new prices will be effective from tomorrow, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) said in a notification on its website.
"NPPA has fixed ceiling prices of 103 scheduled formulations on the basis of wholesale price index (WPI) for the preceding calendar year 2015, effective from April, 1 2016," the regulator said.
With the NPPA's move, some of the key drugs such as Tenofovir, Lamivudine, Raltegravir used for treatment of HIV/AIDS and Sofosbuvir, which is used against Hepatitis C will become cheaper.
For instance, a tablet of combination drugs Tenofovir 300mg, Lamivudine 300mg and Efavirenz 600mg will now cost Rs 91.71 as against Rs 94.27 earlier.
Likewise, the ceiling price of a Raltegravir 400 mg is now fixed at Rs 139.25 down from Rs 143.13 earlier. The price of Hepatitis B drug Sofosbuvir-400mg has been fixed at Rs 619.31 down from Rs 636.56 previously.
Cardiovascular disease drug Atorvastatin-40mg will now be available at Rs 17.91 per tablet as against Rs 18.41 earlier.
Besides, the NPPA has also fixed the retail price of two formulations--Hyoscine Butylbromide + Paracetamol Tablet and Methyldopa Tablet, under DPCO, 2013.
At present, the government caps prices of essential drugs based on the simple average of all medicines in a particular therapeutic segment with sales of more than one per cent.
Besides, the government regulates prices of all other medicines and companies are allowed to hike prices of such drugs by only up to 10 per cent in a year.
The government had notified DPCO, 2013, which covers 680 formulations, with effect from May 15, 2014, replacing the 1995 order that regulated prices of only 74 bulk drugs.
Set up in 1997, NPPA has been entrusted with the task of fixation/revision of prices of pharma products, enforcement of provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order and monitoring of prices of controlled and decontrolled drugs.
The government recently came out strongly on
doctors for taking patients for a ride by prescribing them costly medicines instead of low cost variants. The Chemicals and Fertilizers ministry is said to be in consultation with Health ministry [http://www.Mohfw.Nic.In ] to draw up a proposal to rein in on errant medicos who refuse to prescribe generic medicines, and pharmacists, who don't stock low-cost generics.
"Not all medicos flout MCI rules and help multi-national companies to fill their coffers, but unfortunately majority of them do. They should stop entertaining touts and medical reps around their workplaces and promote generic medicines for the welfare of patients. To bring defaulters to book, laws should be suitably amended to make it punishable if doctors write brand names instead of generics, with an exception to patented drugs," said Ankur. Another problem the Indian generic market faces is people's mindset. As most of them are used to having branded medicines all along, they often find it uncomfortable to ask doctors to prescribe generic names.
"People hesitate to ask their physicians for generics instead of branded medicines, and doctors too, in general, don't entertain such practice. However, the Constitution has given them the right to ask for generic medicines. Sadly, the awareness level among people on generics is abysmally low. For most of the patients, even among urban folks, 'generics [https://en.Wikipedia.Org/wiki/Generic ]' still remains an alien. It is time people understand their rights to demand low-cost medicines," added Ankur.
"There is also a strong misconception among
people that cheap generic medicines are ineffective and only branded and costly medicines are safe for consumption. However, it has been proved by studies, both in India and abroad, that generics are as effective and same in every aspect as compared to patented or branded counterparts promoted by pharma companies," explains Ankur.
Unfortunately, doctors and pharmaceutical companies capitalize this belief to promote their brands, which are sometime 10 times costlier than low-cost alternatives.
"In plain terms, except for patented medicine, almost all branded medicines have generic alternatives available in the market. These medicines contain the same chemicals as of branded ones and are approved by appellate medical boards concerned for safety and health," asserts Ankur, who appeals to the medical fraternity to come out in support of generic medicines for the welfare of poor patients. About MedKart Pharmacy:
Medkart Pharmacy [http://www.Medkart.In ] is a leading generic medicine store which guides patients to get low-cost and quality generic alternatives from the best pharmaceutical companies following international quality standards. In the last 18 months alone, MedKart has helped over 35000 patients to save over Rs 8 crore by switching to generics. The purpose of launching Medkart was not just to spread the idea and availability of generic drugs among people but also ignite a campaign against doctors who are forcing patients to buy the prescribed branded medicines. Medkart, which has an exhaustive list of medicines, also offers online support to find the most authentic generic medicine with complete details.
Media Contact:
Ankur Agarwal
Ankur@medkart.In
+91-9925023341
Medkart Pharmacy
Source: Medkart Pharmacy.
