PharmEasy Blog

An Inspiring Story Of The Power Of Inhaler

A mother’s job is to ensure that her children are healthy, safe and well looked after. A few years ago, my daughter started to experience a host of symptoms, the most intensive ones being coughing and wheezing episodes. 

At first, her father and I didn’t know what was wrong with her. We took her to our regular doctor and gave her some over-the-counter medication, but her symptoms did not vanish and kept on getting worse over time. 

Her symptoms eventually got so bad that we would have to either keep her at home or go and pick her up during the school day. As you can imagine, this affected her education. After a year of no relief, her father and I finally decided to take a chance and take her to a nearby Breathe Free Clinic. 

After conducting a few tests, the doctor confirmed that our daughter had asthma. At first, we were terrified. We thought that our daughter would not be able to complete even the most basic tasks, but the doctor was quick to soothe our worries. He handed us an asthma leaflet and guided us through the entire treatment process. He showed my daughter how to use her inhaler and told her that she needed to take her treatment on time to get better. 

Today, my daughter goes to school regularly and faces no breathing problems. Thanks to her inhaler, I now know that I can rest with the knowledge that my daughter will live a long, normal life. 

– Sunanya L. 

Brought to you by Cipla.

Also Read: Cough Syrups In India

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

Generic Medicines: Are Good Or Bad For You?

According to the World Health Organization, each year, around 100 million people are pushed towards poverty owing to the global “catastrophic health expenditure”. People face financial difficulties due to medical payments in low-income countries. Non-generic medications are comparatively expensive and a large number of people cannot afford them. Generic medicines, on the other hand, are equal to brand-name non-generic medicines in terms of therapeutic benefits but are available at a lower price. Generic medicines help cut medical costs to a great extent. Some of These medicines cost one-third of what non-generic medicines cost. Most people are unaware of the benefits of generic medicines. Below are a few pros and cons of generic medicines that we have discussed to help clear your doubts regarding generic medicines- 

Pros:

Let us look at the reasons why generic medicines must be used and sold more widely:

Cheaper pricesGeneric medicines are typically a more affordable alternative to non-generic medicines. Some non-generic medicine manufacturers charge customers higher prices to cover research and patent protection costs which generic medicine manufacturers do not have to. Non-generic medicine manufacturers spend huge amounts of money on innovating and marketing new medicines, whereas generic medicine manufacturers rarely spend any money on advertising and marketing; they are basically copies of their non-generic medicine counterparts and are capable of keeping their costs low.

Safety – When a generic medicine manufacturer submits an application for a license to sell the medicine, it has to undergo a thorough examination and testing and the manufacturing facilities are closely evaluated to ensure that every generic medicine is safe and of high quality. Generic medicines undergo a rigorous review to ensure their safety. 

Bioequivalent – Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as non-generic medicines and have the same risks and effectiveness. Generic medicines offer equally high-quality and effective treatment as non-generic medicines but at much lower prices.

Economic benefits – Generic medicines ensure equal access to healthcare for all. The generic medicines industry provides cost-effective treatments for a large range of health conditions; they also engage in innovation and open up major opportunities for export.

Better patient compliance– Some people who had to discontinue their treatment due to a lack of money can now afford to continue their treatment with generic medicines.  

Cons:

Hesitation among people – Many people have doubts related to the quality of generic medicines and hence hesitate to purchase them. You can rest assured about the quality by purchasing generic medicines from government set outlets of janaushadhi or by choosing to buy generics manufactured from trusted brands Difference in opinion – Many doctors remain divided on this, while some are in favour of the use of generic medicines, some of them are not. Certain medications, including thyroid supplements and blood thinners, show evidence of clinically meaningful problems when switching between non-generic and generic or different generic medicine manufacturers.

Availability – All non-generic medicines may not have generic medicine alternatives. Some brands continue to hold patents to produce and market non-generic medicine. You can ask your doctor or the pharmacist to help you identify whether your non-generic medicine has any “therapeutic equivalent” versions.

Sustainability – Many pharmaceutical companies have combined both originator and generic divisions. However, the generic medicines industry faces a number of challenges, like delayed market access, pressure on price reduction and the negative perception regarding generic medicines held by some key stakeholder groups. The long-term sustainability of the generic medicine manufacturing industry is questionable. Therefore, the government is focusing on this and under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), generic medicines are made available to the public.

Conclusion

It has not been proven that non-generic medicine is better than generic medicine. If a patient can save money and benefit from the reduction in health care costs, generic medicines can be a great choice. You can switch on to the generic formulation, even after using non-generic medicines without any ill effects. However, it is best to discuss this with your physician and let him or her help you, keeping in mind your health condition. 

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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How India Became The Biggest Exporter Of Generic Medicine?

What are generic medicines?

Generic medicines contain the same active ingredients as non-generic medicines. A non-generic medicine when first developed, applies for a patent which expires after a certain period of time and the originating company gets a chance to recoup its research investment. After the patent of a non-generic medicine expires, it can be manufactured as a generic medicine after getting approval and abiding by safety and quality guidelines. These may be manufactured by the same company or by other firms.

India and generic medicines export

One of India’s biggest strengths is the export of generic medicines to countries looking for affordable medicines. 

India is a major contributor to the objective of reducing healthcare costs in countries like Latin America and many more. They encourage the entry of Indian pharma companies into their countries to make generic medicines more accessible.

Some Indian pharma companies have set up manufacturing plants in Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. The success and positive perception of Indian pharmaceuticals largely helped in enhancing the overall image of India.

India is the largest exporter of generic medicines in the world, accounting for a massive global export volume. These medicines have a low cost of production, research and testing. India’s role is immense in lowering healthcare costs in developed countries like the US and the UK. Western NGOs and foundations also buy generic medicines from India. 

Although generics provide safe and effective alternatives to branded drugs at lower costs through an abbreviated approval pathway, they still have to go through rigorous clinical trials and approvals to get launched in the market.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D

The way forward for India

The Indian Government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) under which PMBJP Kendras across the country will make quality generic medicines and implants accessible at affordable prices and also generate employment. 

The COVID pandemic has boosted the exports of generic medicines to a great extent, the developed and developing world are concerned about the high costs of patented medicines and looking for cheaper alternatives. Countries are keen to use more generic medicines in the long run to cut down the cost of healthcare.  

The Jan Aushadhi campaign benefits in India

The Jan Aushadhi initiative in India aims to make quality medicines available to the citizens of the country at affordable prices through dedicated stores selling generic medicines. These cost less but are equivalent to non-generic medicines in quality and efficacy.

Awareness and accessibility of generic medicines is a positive step towards boosting exports. More production of generic medicines is encouraged in several ways by the government.

Conclusion

Generic medicines are low in cost but as effective and safe as non-generic medicines. Generic medicine in India is being widely used, the PMBJP aims to spread more awareness among people. The pharmaceutical industry of the country has shown tremendous progress and adapted to a changing environment which will help in achieving more success in generic medicine export from India.

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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Benefits Of Generic Medicines You Must Know

Wondering what is generic medicine? Generic medicine is manufactured to be the same as a medicine that has already been authorised. It contains the same active ingredients as the originator, non-generic medicine. However, the name of the generic medicine, its appearance and its packaging can be different from those of the non-generic medicine

A pharmaceutical company develops new medicines after extensive research and testing. The non-generic medicines are patent protected, which ensures that the company has the sole right to manufacture and sell the non-generic brand name medicine while the patent is in effect. When patents or other periods of exclusivity expire, other manufacturers or the same company can apply to develop and sell a generic version of the non-generic medicine. For more generic medicine information that will help you understand it better, we have listed below some of the advantages of generic medicines:

Advantages of generic medicines

Generic medicine can be used for several health conditions. Listed below are some of the pros and cons of generic medicines:

Price benefits

Generic medicines are more affordable than non-generic medicines. You can save money significantly by purchasing generic medicines. These medicines are priced low because, unlike non-generic medicines, they do not have to redo the clinical trials of the active ingredient. Generic medicines are made with the same contents as non-generic medicines, which are already authorised and approved. Generic medicine manufacturers rarely spend money on advertising and marketing, which is another important way they keep their costs down. 

Availability

It is easy to find a generic medicine equivalent. Patients do not need to investigate far to find alternatives to popular non-generic medicines. There are over 12,000 reliable generic medicines available for consumers at a budget-friendly price. In India, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP) has been established to create awareness among the public regarding generic medicines. Its vision is to provide all the commonly used generic medicines covering maximum e therapeutic groups to every citizen of India.

Safety and quality

Generic medicines are similar to non-generic medicines; they are made with the same active substance and checked for safety and quality before getting licensed. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in India procures medicines from the World Health Organisation-Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and CE Certified suppliers, as applicable, for ensuring the quality of the products. The medicines must meet strict guidelines of manufacturing and provide effective results.

Generic medicines are considered safe to use when they meet batch-to-batch requirements of quality, strength, and purity when compared to the original drug. They also need to follow good manufacturing practices and rules to get it approved as a ‘safe drug’.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Drugs advisory board of india approved

Generic medicines manufacturing is closely monitored by The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. The efficiency of the medications is tested to ensure the safety of the public. The problems related to the medicines are also investigated and they make recommendations to the manufacturing company, healthcare professionals and the public.

Insurance coverage

An added advantage of generic medicine is that they are usually covered by insurance companies due to its low cost. Most insurance companies will cover your generic medicine costs and you will not have to pay from your pocket. This can, however, vary depending on the insurance company and plan.

Generic drugs come on the market after a patent for a particular drug gets expire. A generic drug has the same active ingredients with the same strength when compared to the original drug.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Conclusion

Generic medicines are cost-efficient for the healthcare system and completely safe for consumption. While there are several advantages of generic medicines, it is also important to note that self-medication is not recommended and if you must have generic medicines, consult the doctor to discuss your health condition and only purchase good quality generic medicines as prescribed. 

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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Generic Medicines And How Safe Are They?

Many people do not understand generic medicine differs from non-generic brand name medications. A generic medication is created to be the same as an already marketed non-generic medicine. They provide the same clinical benefits but the packaging, inactive ingredients and prices vary. In this article, we shall learn about generic medicines and their importance.

What is Generic medicine?

Generic medicines are bioequivalent to non-generic medicines. They are made with the same active ingredient, according to the same dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality and performance characteristics. The generic medicine works in the same way as non-generic medicines. The biggest advantages of generic medicine are that they are cost-effective and allow patients to save significantly on their medication bills. 

What are the differences between generic medicine and non-generic medicine?

A major difference between generic medicine and non-generic medicine is the cost. For generic medicine manufacturing, expenses related to patent and exclusive rights like brand-name non-generic medicine are not needed. Therefore generic medicines are priced at a lower amount, 

The colour, shape, packaging and inactive elements are different in the two medicines. Another difference between the two is the expiration date. Some generic medicines may have an extended expiration date than non-generic medicine.

Are generic medicines safe? 

Generic medicines cost less but are not less effective. Makers of these medicines do not spend money on the development, research, animal and human clinical trials, marketing and advertising. A non-generic medicine with an expired patent can apply for a licence to sell generic medicine, which is evaluated and approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation only if it meets safety and quality standards. 

Generic medicine contains the same active ingredient that had undergone all clinical trials and quality testing during its patent when it was manufactured by a brand as the non-generic medicine. Therefore, these are considered to be safe. Pharmacovigilance centres monitor the safety and side effects of medications. They ensure consumers are getting effective and safe medicines. They also investigate problem reports and make recommendations to manufacturers, healthcare professionals and the public. 

Can I get generic medicine in India?

Generic medicines are available in India and you can buy them from pharmacies across cities and states. The endeavour of PMBJP (Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna) is to make therapeutic medicines available to the public and you can purchase generic medicines from Jan Aushadhi Stores. 

The Drugs Technical Advisory Board of India amended a rule in the constitution to allow pharmacies to sell generic medicines to patients even if the prescriptions specify the branded versions. The best way to find a generic medicine alternative is to talk to your pharmacist or doctor and search for the active ingredient in the medicine. You can also purchase generic medicines through online pharmacies like PharmEasy. Sometimes, a brand medicine may not have a generic variant available. You must discuss it with your doctor.

Conclusion

Generic medicine does not hamper nor discourage medical research and innovation. They make good-quality healthcare available to people and should be marketed more aggressively. The socio-economic impact of COVID-19 has been such that the common person’s capacity to spend has come down on average. Also, the growth in fatal diseases has increased and there’s a high demand for affordable medicines. It is the need of the hour to understand your rights and request doctors for generic medicines if and whenever possible. If there are no alternatives, discuss your concerns with your doctor but try not to discontinue treatment due to financial constraints.

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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Dharavi Files by PharmEasy : A Story of Survival

Dharavi files by PharmEasy: This is the story of Prabhawati- our inspiring lady, with henna-dyed hair. She takes on old age life, with impending dangers caused by health and a weakening body. As does age to everything else, our body too takes a beating through the years. Let’s hear her story of struggle and how we, at PharmEasy, tried to ease some of her burdens.Struggling with diabetes and high blood pressure ailments, Prabhawati is in constant dependency on medication, to be able to carry on life’s routine. She isn’t our regular 62-year-old woman, she’s someone who has seen life and its many layers too close, right from marriage, children and rendezvous with old age.The medicines usually cost about Rs 1000 a month in expenditure, which isn’t a huge amount of sum for many. But as they say happiness, joy and sorrow and expenses are relative! For her, an old lady, dependent on her family’s income of a few thousand, medical expenses are sure something which they would want to avoid or at least reduce. In this case, there have been times where avoidance was considered to be the best choice.One fine day, Prabhawati came across PharmEasy through one of the camps we had set up. Once we learned of her situation, she was immediately briefed about our discounted medicines. Ever since then, she has been using her son’s phone to download the app and make purchases. It’s been a happy journey with decreased expenditures with the discounts. Also, the free home delivery makes life easier with no money spent on the ride to the chemist stores too.Dharavi Files by PharmEasy – Solving lives and helping people, one by one.Disclaimer:  The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.