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Speak up: Generic medicine or branded, which would you prefer?

PM Modi says he is considering introducing a legislation that makes it compulsory for doctors to use generic names instead of brand names for drugs

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Generic medicine has turned out to be a highly volatile issue with the medical community and patients are split about it. Simply put, generic names are chemical formulations of a medicine. For example, paracetamol is a generic name while Crocin is the name of the brand of paracetamol manufactured by a certain company. Different companies would have a different name and price for a chemical combination. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have wooed doctors into prescribing their medicines, eroding the doctor-patient trust in the process.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a speech, said that his government is considering bringing in a legislation that would make it compulsory for doctors to write prescriptions using generic names. While doctors say that in some cases it might be impossible to write using generic names as they would be too long, city pharmacists admit that many of them would have trouble deciphering the prescriptions since most shops are not manned by qualified pharmacists.

DNA speaks to a cross-section of people across the city to understand if they would prefer generic medicines to branded ones and why. Here is what they had to say.

EXPERT SPEAK

We only said that the prescription should be written legibly and 'preferably' using generic names, but the ministry removed the word 'preferably' and we are facing flak. It is very unreasonable to write all prescriptions using generic names. There are some medicines which would be too complex to be written using generic names or some for rare illnesses which the pharmacist would not understand. I am strictly against any type of legislation on generic medicines.
Dr Ajay Kumar, Chairman Administration, MCI

There is no difference in the safety and efficacy of generic medicines when compared to the branded drugs. It is a misconception that generic medicines are not effective. We do periodic checks and tests on the composition of the drugs, and cases of spurious medicines have been stray incidents rather than the norm.
Dr Harshdeep Kamble, Commissioner, FDA Maharashtra

SION

I would prefer branded drugs over generic drugs. The reason doctors prescribe branded drugs is because research and development work is carried out well by these MNCs, unlike generic drugs which don't receive the same about of care. There is more risk with generic drugs, and nowadays people are very concerned and conscious about what medicines they take.
Kaustubh Patil

In effect, the rule has left it to the discretion of the chemists to give patients drugs manufactured by the company that he thinks is 'appropriate'. Does this not mean that the patient should now trust the chemist more than the doctor? I am more comfortable with trusting my doctor to give me a prescription with the exact drug he recommends — brand and all.
Ishwar Nankani

The Indian Medical Association should notify doctors to specifically prescribe the brand name to protect vulnerable patients. However, if the patient requests a generic name, the doctor should write that as well, considering that sometimes cheaper alternatives are available for the same formula and the doctor may have prescribed a more expensive one.
Divya Srinivasan

KHARGHAR

I don't mind being prescribed generic drugs. I very well understand the fact that it is the constituent of the drug that treats me and not the brand name. If at all I have a doubt about any of the medicines prescribed, I can always check them online on any of the medical websites which mention the reason, dosage, and usage.
Lorine Sequeira

DOMBIVLI

Well, I would not prefer branded drugs over generic drugs. We need to understand that it is not the brand name that cures your disease or illness, but the drug components. However, doctors understand best what to prescribe and what not to, and patients should have faith in their treatment.
Navaldeep Singh

CHARNI ROAD

I am comfortable with doctors writing prescriptions using the branded names. A chemist can guide me about which medicines I can take to cure the disease, but he will not know for sure which medicine is right for me. As far as commission is concerned, which doctors are taking these days, it is absolutely wrong; but how do we know it is not going to be the same with chemists too.
Prachita Manadhyn

ELPHINSTONE ROAD

Prescriptions with branded names is more appropriate. Numerous new brands are emerging these days. We cannot trust the brands, but after the medicine of the same brand is suggested by the doctor, we can trust it. There are certain medicines whose functions are the same, but are manufactured by different brands. Without the doctor's suggestion, will not know which one to trust and take.
Aarti Jaiswal

If I were to get generic medicine which is the same and gives same results at half the price, then I would definitely go for a generic medicine. I would prefer the doctor to write the formula rather than the brand. Also, the other side is, while you hope to pay less for generic medicines, the chemist will always want to sell you the expensive brand/medicine because of his own profit.
Navin Nathani

I would ideally prefer generic medicine as it is cheaper in the market as compared to branded medicine. I think mentioning just the formula would work better and in favour of consumers. If you see, when the brand name is menioned, a huge amount is charged. If you remove it, then there is a huge cost relief to the people. And if the pharmacists try to sell you the more expensive ones, you can consult your doctor regarding it.
Sumeet Gupta

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