Bridging the Health Inequity Gap – Power of Generic Medicines

Ever felt a pang of guilt at the pharmacy checkout? Faced with a mountain of medical bills, the question inevitably arises: is there a better way? Meet Vedika Poddar, a passionate advocate for informed healthcare choices. Driven by a desire to bridge the gap between affordability and quality medicine, Vedika delves into the world of generics, dispelling myths and empowering you to make smarter choices for your health and wallet. Keep reading to explore her article!

In today’s fast paced and high-priced economy, we all face the struggles of rising healthcare costs. Every time you step inside the medical store, you probably wonder why there is such a vast gap in the pricing of a few medicines. This is actually a marketing strategy that pharmaceutical companies do not want you to know about. You can actually purchase the medicines that you are currently buying at a much cheaper price than usual. These medicines are known as generic medicines.

Let me give you a quick recap of how these medicines work. Big companies like Cipla manufacture a medicine after a lot of failed experiments, chemical costs, government approval, and clinical approval. All of these costs millions of dollars. Once their product is on the market, they want to gain as much profit as they can. So, they set a price that suits them rather than taking the public’s opinion into consideration. After a certain period of time, the company is forced to release its patent onto the market. Other generic medicine companies now manufacture them at a cheaper price which results in an overall decrease in selling price compared to the initial cost. 

I recently visited a physician’s clinic in my locality. I asked him to tell me some bits of his everyday interaction with his patients. He said that quite a few of his patients which included people from diverse background and various age were aware of the concept of generic medicines. He also told me that most of his patients suffered from a syndrome called ‘mob mentality’. It is not necessary for two people to have the same opinions but when one neglects their viewpoint completely and starts believing in the other viewpoints without any thought then that is a flaw. His patients must have heard several rumours regarding the quality and safety of generic medicines which led to them abandoning its usage completely.

The government of India can also take a lot of measures in order to promote generic medicine consumption in the country. Unfortunately, India has not made any specific policies regarding generic medicines in the constitution. There are a few countries like the US, which are fairly proactive regarding this matter. Every second person in the US covers up all their medical costs through a health insurance. The local medical shops over there have a greater supply of generic medicines than branded ones because that is what the public consumes the most. I believe that the government of India should adapt to these changes and grasp their benefits in the twenty-first century. India has the maximum number of consumers compared to any other country, so an increase in generic medicine consumption can cause a spurt in the pharmaceutical industry and the economy as a whole.

To conclude, I would like to talk about our responsibility as individuals. We should educate ourselves about the concept of generic medicines through various workshops, seminars, etc. We are part of a privileged society, and it is our duty to teach the underprivileged about such important topics.

DIFFERNECS BETWEEN AMERICAN AND INDIAN POLICIES:

The policies governing generic medicines in the United States and India show stark contrasts, with India’s framework often viewed as weaker and less stringent. In the U.S., the FDA requires a rigorous Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) process to ensure bioequivalence, with strong patent protections under the Hatch-Waxman Act, which encourages innovation while allowing patent challenges through Paragraph IV certifications. Strict adherence to FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) ensures high quality. 

Conversely, India’s regulatory body, the CDSCO, has a faster and less rigorous approval process, frequently accepting foreign clinical trial data, which can compromise thorough scrutiny. Indian patent laws are more flexible, with provisions for compulsory licensing that can undermine patent holders’ rights, potentially discouraging innovation. While India’s GMP standards are often seen as less stringent, many manufacturers aim to meet international norms for exports, but domestic enforcement remains inconsistent.

The Indian market’s dominance by generics and significantly lower prices are due to these lenient policies, which prioritize access and affordability over stringent quality and patent protections. This approach, while increasing immediate accessibility, can lead to concerns over the long-term sustainability and innovation within the pharmaceutical industry, often causing friction with multinational pharmaceutical companies.

Through her insightful research and passionate advocacy, Vedika is working to ensure that our cities become truly accessible for all. Be like Vedika, start your changemaking journey!

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